Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2001

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for the veteran's eczema and atopic dermatitis of the hands, torso, and legs since June 16, 1995. The condition is characterized by lichenification, hyperpigmentation, pruritus, and varying severity.

The Board has granted service connection for a vascular disorder characterized by spider veins, which was incurred during active service. The veteran's skin conditions are currently rated as noncompensable.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for eczema, finding no new and material evidence to reopen the claim.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and new and material evidence submissions, as well as service connection for various conditions. The left hip condition was rated at 10 percent, hearing loss was not compensable, hypertension was also not compensable, and there were no findings regarding hematuria or Achilles tendon spurs.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of various service-connected disabilities were denied. The RO found that the current ratings adequately reflected the severity and nature of his conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected bilateral tinea pedis, finding that the condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on its symptoms and findings.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims to reopen his service connection for tinea pedis and lung disability, finding that new and material evidence was not presented and that the claims were not well grounded.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The veteran's hidradenitis suppurativa and tinea pedis of both feet are currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher 50 percent rating is warranted based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae and atopic dermatitis do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation as there was no evidence of exfoliation, exudation or itching in the areas affected.

The Board denied service connection for bloody stools, abdominal pain, skin rash, and nose bleeds as there were no objective indicators of an undiagnosed illness. Service connection was granted for hemorrhoids (incurred in service) and gastritis (also incurred in service).

The veteran's claim for increased ratings and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was denied. The RO confirmed the current evaluations of his eczematoid dermatitis (10%) and chronic lumbosacral strain with degenerative changes (40%).

The Board has reviewed the evidence and determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen either the skin disorder or gastrointestinal disorder claims. The veteran's current conditions are not shown to be related to service, including any in-service exposure to Agent Orange.

The veteran's appeal was remanded due to deficiencies in the Board decision, including insufficient discussion of symptoms and failure to apportion them between service-connected and nonservice-connected conditions. The Court also recommended a new skin examination during an active phase of the condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's psoriasis was aggravated during his active duty for training, and thus service connection is granted.