Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for hypertension as secondary to PTSD and an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for eczema. The veteran was not advised to submit a statement from his treating physician who related his hypertension to PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims of service connection for multiple conditions, including sinusitis, allergies, hypertension, and skin disorders are well-grounded. However, there is insufficient evidence to establish a direct link between these conditions and his military service or exposure to herbicides. The claim for PTSD remains pending as it was not addressed in this decision.

The appellant believes that the veteran's nummular eczema, which affected his circulation and heart, caused his death. The VA needs to obtain additional evidence from the veteran's terminal hospital report and statements from physicians who informed her of a relationship between the skin condition and cause of death before deciding on the claim.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were granted, with the exception of tinnitus. The right shoulder condition was rated at 20 percent effective August 29, 1997; lumbosacral spine degenerative joint disease at 10 percent; and bilateral eczema at 10 percent. Service connection for tinnitus remains denied.

The veteran's claimed disabilities, including depression, dysthymia, anxiety, psoriasis, hypertension, and low back strain, are not service-connected. The RO found that these conditions are secondary to his alcohol dependence and marijuana abuse.

The Board has determined that the veteran's dermatitis of both feet does not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the appellant's claim for an increased rating of his service-connected tinea versicolor is well-grounded. The RO must obtain additional medical records and schedule a VA examination to determine the extent and severity of the appellant's skin disabilities, including any relationship between aquagenic pruritus and tinea versicolor.

The veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for pseudofolliculitis barbae is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of his case.

The veteran's tinea cruris was found to have its onset in service and is granted service connection. The claim for headaches, fatigue, insomnia, and syncopal episodes is not well-grounded as there are no objective indicators of an undiagnosed illness. Service connection for neck pain is also granted due to a diagnosed condition.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of anxiety disorder with PTSD and traumatic arthritis of the left knee, as well as his claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy were denied. The claim for service connection for dermatitis was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The VA determined that the veteran's folliculitis, currently rated at 10 percent, does not meet criteria for a higher evaluation based on its symptoms and manifestations.

The Board denied an increased rating for the appellant's right knee disorder and found no plausible service connection for his skin disorders claimed as residuals of Agent Orange exposure.,There is no evidence of a current disability, in-service incurrence or aggravation, or nexus to Agent Orange exposure for tinea versicolor, seborrheic dermatitis, and actinic keratosis.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have well-grounded claims for service connection for hypertension and residuals of left hip strain. The claim for atopic dermatitis is granted as it was incurred during active military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a left shoulder disorder and acne, but denied the claim for ligament damage of the left ankle. The veteran's acne is rated at 10% from August 4, 1998, to present, while his left shoulder disorder remains at 0%. His left ankle condition continues to be rated at 0%.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a back injury and skin rash, including tinea versicolor, finding that there was no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his active military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for skin rash, non-specific gastritis, and headaches as due to undiagnosed illness are not well grounded. His claims for direct service connection for ear condition, prostate nodule, and actinic keratoses are also not well grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, hearing loss of the right ear, and chloracne. The decision found that the veteran did not meet the burden to establish a well-grounded claim for these conditions.

The veteran's claim for benefits under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a skin disorder, diagnosed as vitiligo and secondary to drug hypersensitivity resulting from VA medical treatment, has been granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, neurodermatitis, and external hemorrhoids. The total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is deferred until the rating for hemorrhoids is resolved.

The veteran's claims for PTSD, squamous cell carcinoma of the left true vocal cord, and tinea versicolor are being remanded due to incomplete medical records. The RO is instructed to obtain all relevant treatment records from Northeast Alabama Regional Medical Center and other providers.