Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his acne vulgaris is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical records and conduct further examinations to determine the severity of the veteran's service-connected skin disabilities, including seborrheic dermatitis and nummular eczema.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including muscle and joint pain, insomnia, positive PPD, sinusitis, tinea versicolor, and poor vision. The evidence did not support a finding of service origin or due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Board found no CUE in either decision but noted that new evidence submitted by the veteran did not establish a reasonable possibility of changing the prior adverse outcome regarding his claims for service connection and compensation for seborrheic dermatitis.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected eczematoid dermatitis, finding that it most closely approximates the criteria for such a rating based on extensive lesions and constant itching. The maximum allowable rating of 50 percent was not warranted due to lack of ulceration or systemic manifestations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected allergic contact dermatitis and eczematous dermatitis warrants a 30 percent disability rating, effective from the date of his application to reopen a claim. The effective date for the grant of service connection remains April 2, 1996.

The veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae has been granted a 10% rating effective May 10, 1999.

The VA has determined that the veteran's eczematoid dermatitis, currently rated at 30 percent disabling, does not warrant an evaluation in excess of this rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected dermatophytosis (tinea versicolor), finding that the current evaluation fully reflects the level of disability due to his skin condition.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable due to his inability to work.

The veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Board denied service connection for liver cirrhosis with portal hypertension and hepatic encephalopathy, anemia, hypersplenism, Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, diabetes mellitus, chloracne, and porphyria cutanea tarda (PCT), as the preponderance of evidence does not support a link to service or any service-connected condition.

The Board denied service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, finding that his established service-connected conditions did not substantially or materially contribute to his death.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for Pseudofolliculitis Barbae and Hypertension, finding no evidence of current conditions related to his military service. The claim for an effective date prior to August 7, 1996 for a 100 percent rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder and mood incongruent psychotic features was also denied.

The Board denied service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae and did not address the higher rating claim for asthma with bronchitis and allergic rhinitis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's low back disability, chronic sinusitis, hemorrhoids, varicose veins, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and bilateral knee disorder are all service-connected. A compensable evaluation of 10% is granted for macular degeneration and retinal tear of the left eye.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right shoulder disorder, right knee disorder, stress fractures of both legs, and skin disorders. The RO found that the assigned ratings were appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The Board finds that the veteran likely has current left hip disability manifested by pain and bony changes as a residual of an injury incurred during his period of service. The Board also finds it is at least as likely as not that he has current dyshidrotic eczema of the hands that developed during service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected eczema of the arms and legs, currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected seborrheic dermatitis with barbae, finding that the condition has been shown to involve exfoliation, exudation, and itching, with periods of remission.