Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2005

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of fractures of the distal phalanges of the great, 2nd and 3rd toes of the left foot and tinea pedis with onychomycosis.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence. The initial disability evaluations for GERD, plantar fasciitis of the left foot, and right foot are maintained at 10 percent.

The veteran's appeal is about his service-connected dyshidrotic and atopic dermatitis, which has been rated as 30 percent disabling. The case is being remanded for additional development of the evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current diagnosed bilateral foot disorders are not related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's initial claim for an increased disability evaluation for eczematous dermatitis of the lower extremities was granted, and he is currently receiving a 30 percent disability rating.

The Board finds that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a bilateral shoulder disorder, folliculitis, or residuals of fracture of the right ring finger related to his military service. Therefore, the claims for these conditions are denied.

The Board found that the evidence submitted was not new and material, thus denying the veteran's request to reopen his claim of service connection for eczema (dermatitis).

The Board found that the veteran did not have service in Vietnam and denied his claims for diabetes mellitus and tinea versicolor as they are unrelated to service.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions are not etiologically related to his military service or exposure to toxic herbicides.

The Board denied service connection for a left knee disorder and acne vulgaris, finding no current diagnosis of either condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current pseudofolliculitis barbae is service-connected, as there was chronic pseudofolliculitis barbae in service and similar manifestations were present post-service.

The veteran's cervical arthritis is presumed to have been incurred during active military service. The right shoulder disorder and chronic rash (psoriasis) are not currently granted as service-connected.

The Board found that the veteran's malignant melanoma was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim for service connection. The decision also noted that tinea pedis, a current disability, is not related to service.

The Board found that the preponderance of the competent evidence is against finding a nexus between any exposure to ionizing radiation and the veteran's claimed skin disability, right ear disability (including increased susceptibility to upper respiratory infections), lung disability, hypertension, or sterility. Therefore, service connection for these conditions was denied.