Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Board has restored the special monthly compensation for a surviving spouse based on the need for regular aid and attendance, effective December 30, 2005.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected skin disability did not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent, as it was shown to involve less than 20 percent of her total body surface and exposed areas affected.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any tinea pedis and bilateral tinnitus. The claims will be reconsidered based on this additional evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected contact dermatitis with light sensitivity was rated at 10% from April 20, 2007 to October 2, 2007 and increased to 30% effective August 27, 2010. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted prior to October 2, 2007 or after August 26, 2010.

The Board has determined that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's PFB was incurred during his active military service, and thus grants the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae was denied due to lack of evidence showing the condition began during service. The claims for increased ratings and compensation for right knee and Achilles tendon conditions were also not met.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae and keloids are currently rated at 60 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 7806. The Board has determined that the evidence does not warrant a higher rating. For asthma and conjunctivitis claims, new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than June 17, 2005 for the award of service connection for a skin disability manifested by acne was denied. The effective date cannot be earlier than the date his reopened claim was received (June 17, 2005).

The Veteran's skin condition, including urticaria and dermatitis, is being remanded for further development as the last VA examination was conducted more than 3 years ago.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating were denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim of acneform disease, and determined that arthritis of the hands was not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The Veteran's gastrointestinal disorder did not meet criteria for a compensable rating before December 23, 2008, and a higher rating from that date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinea pedis, claimed as a foot rash due to Agent Orange exposure, is being remanded for additional development of medical records from the Dallas VA Medical Center.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and an increased rating for her right knee disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for tinea versicolor and tinea pedis with onychomycosis, finding that the evidence did not support such a higher rating based on the criteria at the time.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for stasis dermatitis is denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition related to his military service. The right eye disorder claim has been reopened, but new and material evidence has not been provided to establish a current disability that may be linked to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, internal hemorrhoids, varicose veins of the lower extremities, eczema, left foot cold weather injury residuals, right foot plantar fasciitis, and right foot calcaneal fracture. The reasons provided are that there is no current evidence linking these conditions to service or any other basis for service connection.

The Veteran's appeals for evaluations of his service-connected conditions have been denied. The RO/AMC will schedule a VA examination to determine the current severity of his allergic rhinitis and will readjudicate the issue of what evaluation is warranted for allergic rhinitis since March 1, 2006.

The Veteran's appeal for basic eligibility for nonservice-connected pension benefits was denied as he did not meet the service requirements under section 1521(j) of the Veterans Pension Act.

The Veteran's service connection claims for coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and tinea pedis are all granted as they meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities and claims for additional disability ratings, as well as a claim for service connection. The case is being remanded to obtain updated medical examinations and opinions regarding the severity of his shrapnel wound residuals and skin disorder, and to determine if his hearing loss is related to service.