Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2000

The veteran's service-connected disability of bilateral onychomycosis with tinea pedis and tinea corporis does not materially contribute to his employment handicap, as he has chosen not to pursue other types of employment. The RO denied the application for vocational rehabilitation training and self-employment assistance.

The VA denied an increased rating for the veteran's systolic heart murmur and did not reopen his claim of service connection for a skin disorder (claimed as chloracne).

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for a skin condition claimed as chloracne due to Agent Orange exposure.

The Board dismissed the appeals due to a lack of timely and adequate substantive appeal for both issues.

The veteran's claim for an effective date prior to June 12, 1997 for the award of service connection for PTSD was granted. The RO also assigned compensable initial disability evaluations for jungle rot of the feet and pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder and PTSD are not well grounded, as there is insufficient evidence to support the assertions of exposure to Agent Orange or credible supporting evidence for the claimed in-service stressors.

The Board has granted service connection for dyshidrotic eczema and nicotine dependence, but deferred the decision on headaches and shortness of breath as secondary to tobacco use due to lack of evidence in the record.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal, and the case is dismissed without prejudice.

The Board has determined that the veteran's dyshydrotic eczema is related to service and grants the claim.

The Board has granted an increased disability rating to 30 percent for the veteran's service-connected skin disorder, effective from the date of his claim. The issue of entitlement to an annual clothing allowance remains pending.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected right wrist injury and eczema of the right hand, finding that the evidence does not warrant a higher evaluation under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for a skin condition, including chloracne. The veteran's claim is well-grounded as there is competent medical evidence of a current diagnosis of chloracne related to Agent Orange exposure. However, his PTSD claim remains denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for chloracne due to Agent Orange exposure is being remanded for further development of the evidence.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for psoriasis and arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, as well as an increased rating for his service-connected pes planus. The appeals were not granted.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities have been rated based on the criteria provided in the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities. The claims for increased ratings are denied as the current evidence does not meet the schedular criteria for a compensable rating.,A VA examination is needed to assess the severity of the veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae, lumbosacral strain, and knee disabilities.