Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the initial compensable evaluation for costochondritis was also denied. The Board found no evidence of a right arm condition or right wrist sprain during service or post-service, and concluded that any current symptoms are not related to service.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's skin condition and bilateral foot condition were incurred or aggravated during service. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions and service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for psoriasis vulgaris was granted, and his claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was denied. The Board also found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the claim for hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been evaluated based on their current manifestations, and the evidence does not support a higher rating for any of his disabilities.

The Veteran was granted service connection for tinea versicolor, a skin condition he has had since service. The Board also found that the evidence supported his claim of left tarsal tunnel syndrome and ordered further examination to determine its current status.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including audiometric and skin examinations to determine the nature of his hearing loss, dermatitis, and scalp conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected skin condition and to determine if any additional rating should be assigned.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection for right ear hearing loss and an initial, compensable rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae due to withdrawal of these claims by the Veteran. The remaining claims for higher ratings for hip and groin disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD with dysthymic disorder is rated at 70 percent, and his coronary artery disease, hypertension, and psoriasis are all found to be aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. The Veteran also has a TDIU claim pending.

The Veteran's skin disorder, including tinea pedis, tinea manuum, and tinea cruris, is found to have originated during a period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) in June 1995. The Board finds that the Veteran's current skin disorders are related to treatment for athlete's foot during this ACDUTRA period.

The Board has granted service connection for tinea barb�, pseudofolliculitis. The issues of service connection for rhinorrhea and headaches are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has determined that the combined rating of 40 percent for the Veteran's service-connected disabilities is correct and properly computed.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is currently rated at 30 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's cervical radiculopathy of the left upper extremity and right upper extremity are both currently rated at 20 percent, which also do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's tinea versicolor is currently rated at 30 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for soft tissue sarcoma, a skin disorder (chloracne), and hypothyroidism due to presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The Veteran's claims are supported by his service records showing chronic skin disorders during service and current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities combine to be 40 percent disabling, but do not meet the percentage rating standards for TDIU. The Board finds that the Veteran is not unemployable solely due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen the claims for entitlement to service connection for atopic dermatitis and headaches. The case is now being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current skin disabilities and headaches.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for her right thumb sprain and service connection for eczema are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining missing VA outpatient treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including depression, renal insufficiency with hypertension, incisional hernia, diabetes mellitus with retinopathy and impotence, right knee disability, left knee disability, neurodermatitis, tinnitus, limitation of motion of the right knee, hearing loss, and other conditions have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and higher ratings have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a grant of service connection or higher ratings for most conditions, with some exceptions.