Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Board has determined that new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the claim for service connection for dermatitis of the hands, secondary to Agent Orange exposure had not been received. The case is REMANDED to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC) in Washington, DC for further development before readjudicating the claim on the underlying merits.

The veteran's claim for a disability evaluation in excess of 50 percent for chronic contact dermatitis prior to April 9, 2008 was denied. However, the claim for a disability evaluation in excess of 60 percent for chronic contact dermatitis after April 9, 2008 was granted.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal for the initial compensable evaluation of the right ankle fracture and all other issues on appeal.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability for service connection purposes related to his claimed hearing loss, gallbladder removal, dermatitis, and cellulitis. The VA examination did not show any current disabilities in these conditions.

The veteran's service-connected dysthymic disorder/PTSD, rated at 70 percent disabling, has prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment due to his psychiatric disability.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for bilateral pes planus beginning March 29, 2006. For eczematous dermatitis, the veteran was initially granted a 10 percent rating effective September 20, 2004, and increased to 60 percent effective January 11, 2005.

The Board has granted service connection for scars on the neck and scalp, finding that they are related to the veteran's service-connected dermatitis. The claim for an increased rating for seborrheic dermatitis remains denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a total rating for compensation based on individual unemployability and failed to restore service connection for dyshidrotic eczema.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected chronic dermatitis of the hands, feet and elbows.

The Board found no current chronic disabilities related to the claimed perianal cyst, left ankle injury, or tinea cruris. The veteran's end stage renal disease is not service-connected as there is no evidence linking it to his in-service urology problems.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, depression secondary to diabetes, CAD, valvular heart disease, acid reflux or GERD, elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels, intermittent claudication, diabetic retinopathy, left foot and toe disability, psoriasis, and hypertension. The reasons for these denials are provided in the decision.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable rating schedule, as it did not cover more than 20% of his exposed or total body area and did not require systemic therapy such as corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and tinea pedis, do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his knee disorders and skin disability.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including a left shoulder disability, tinea pedis, and other musculoskeletal issues. Service connection is not granted as the evidence does not show these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board found no evidence of chloracne and denied the veteran's claim for service connection based on herbicide exposure.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current diagnoses of chloracne, hypertension, residuals of a stroke, osteoarthritis, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) related to his military service. As such, the claims for these conditions are denied.

The Board granted the veteran's claim for a higher rating of 50 percent for PTSD, effective from April 2, 1997. The earlier effective date for tinnitus was also granted.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and verifying stressors related to PTSD.

The Board has decided to remand the case for obtaining terminal hospitalization records and a medical opinion regarding whether the veteran's service-connected stasis dermatitis caused or contributed to his death.