Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Board found that the veteran's skin disability, manifested as cystic acne, is not related to his period of active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chloracne and hypertension, both of which are not associated with herbicide exposure. The VA examiner found no current diagnosis of chloracne or other acneform disease consistent with chloracne, and concluded that any skin conditions were unrelated to military service. For hypertension, there is insufficient evidence to establish a nexus between the condition and military service.

The veteran's appeal involves disagreement with the initial 20 percent disability rating assigned for his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II, with associated complications. The Board has remanded the case to allow for further development and consideration of whether a higher rating is warranted on an extra-schedular basis.

The veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for his service-connected skin rash is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of recent treatment records.

The veteran's pseudofolliculitis and associated scarring are productive of a disability rating of 50 percent, the highest available under current regulations.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded to allow for additional development of his medical records and a VA examination.

The veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for hyperhidrosis of both feet with tinea pedis is being remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and clarification regarding his treatment.

The Board has dismissed the veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date prior to July 30, 2002 for a 30 percent disability evaluation for atopic dermatitis. The issues of TDIU termination and increased evaluations for PTSD, neurological syndrome, fibromyalgia-like illness, and arthritis remain pending.

The veteran's eczematous scalp lesions are currently rated as noncompensable, and the Board finds that a compensable rating is not warranted.,The veteran's disability of the left lower extremity, manifested by lupus anticoagulant positive with recurrent deep venous thrombosis and spider veins, is also currently rated as 10 percent. The Board finds that a higher rating than 10 percent is not warranted.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability and denied higher initial ratings for right ear disability, tinea versicolor, and anxiety state. The veteran's left eye condition was not granted service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for atopic dermatitis, which includes asteatotic eczema. The issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for entitlement to service connection for multiple sclerosis is remanded.

The Board has granted a 10 percent disability rating for the veteran's service-connected dermatitis of the feet, which involves less than 20 percent of the body and exposed areas. The condition does not require treatment other than intermittent use of antifungal medication and antibiotics during flare-ups.

The Board denied all service connection claims, finding that the veteran did not have a psychiatric disorder in service or develop one later. The chronic sinusitis claim was also denied as there is no evidence of current sinusitis related to service. Other conditions were not found to be service-connected.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis or continuity of symptomatology related to the claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is related to his active service and grants the claim.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as his chronic alcohol abuse is a separate condition and the VA compensation examiner determined he could work due to other factors such as a civilian-related ankle injury. The combined rating of his service-connected conditions does not meet the threshold for a TDIU.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for nummular eczema, rheumatoid arthritis with polyarthralgia, and polymyalgia due to an undiagnosed illness. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to his military service or an undiagnosed illness.

The veteran's residuals of a right ankle injury and lumbar spine strain are rated at the maximum allowable under VA rating criteria. The veteran is granted separate ratings for vitiligo with nummular dermatitis.

The veteran's lumbosacral strain has not met the criteria for a compensable rating since January 15, 2005. The case is REMANDED to obtain additional medical opinions and evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's psoriasis was not incurred in or aggravated by active duty, nor may its incurrence or aggravation during such service be presumed. Therefore, service connection is denied.