Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2002

The veteran's claim for service connection for tinea pedis was denied. The RO granted a 20% rating for central serous retinopathy, but later reduced it to 10%. The case is considered 'mixed' as some issues were granted and others not.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of October 15, 1998, for the assignment of a total rating for compensation purposes based on individual unemployability was granted. The effective date was assigned due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The veteran's service connection claim for pseudofolliculitis barbae was denied. The rating for his hypertension, which had been noncompensable, was increased to 10 percent effective March 12, 1999.

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

The Board granted a rating of 30 percent for PFB from February 12, 2001, finding that the veteran's condition met the criteria for this rating based on constant itching and residual scarring of the face.

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service-connection for seborrheic dermatitis was denied by the Board. The appeal is based on the veteran's contention that he should have been granted service connection prior to August 22, 1996, when his condition was first recognized and treated.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's skin disorder to his service, including exposure to herbicides or Agent Orange. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service-connection for PTSD and dermatitis, finding insufficient evidence to support these claims. The veteran's alleged stressors were not verified by USASCRUR, and his claimed exposure to herbicide agents was not supported by records showing he visited Vietnam.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not related to service and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 30 percent for the veteran's seborrheic dermatitis, finding that there was no evidence to support such an increase.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including essential hypertension, fatigue, night sweats, a psychiatric disability, a sleep disability, and an eczematoid rash on the hands. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by active service.

The Board has granted service connection for allergic rhinitis and pseudofolliculitis barbae, with the initial evaluations of 10 percent each.

The Board found that the veteran's claims were not abandoned and denied a request for an effective date prior to October 14, 1975.

The VA has denied increased ratings for acne vulgaris and seborrheic dermatitis, but granted a compensable rating for the latter. The appellant's service connection claims for low back disorder, gastrointestinal disorder, and recurrent vaginal infections with bleeding have not been established.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a urinary tract disorder, but denied both the new and material evidence submission and the increased rating for urticaria. The prostate condition is not related to service.