Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2003

The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of November 27, 2003 for service connection of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma has been granted. The veteran previously served during the Vietnam era and was presumed exposed to herbicides.

The veteran's appeal is about a rating for seborrheic dermatitis and nummular eczema, and the RO must conduct additional development as required by the VCAA.

The Board has granted service connection for a chronic acquired skin disorder diagnosed as tinea versicolor and for an acquired psychiatric disorder including PTSD, both of which are linked to the veteran's active military service.

The Board of Veterans' Appeals has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease, currently evaluated as 20 percent disabling, and psoriasis, currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected dermatitis with alopecia is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and notification under the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000.

The Board found that the veteran's pilonidal cyst scar is non-symptomatic and denied an increased rating. The schizophrenia and eczema claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a neck disorder, bilateral knee disorders, hemorrhoids, frostbite of the feet, hands, and ears, a finger disability, rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and atopic dermatitis on allergen exposure. The decision is based on the merits of the cases without invoking any presumptive or secondary service connection theories.

The Board has granted an effective date of April 17, 1973 for the assignment of a 30 percent evaluation for service-connected tinea versicolor.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to unclear opinions and lack of clear etiological relationships between the veteran's claimed conditions and service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder (claimed as stomach condition) was denied. The Board found that the veteran did not have a diagnosed gastrointestinal disease in service or at any time thereafter, and thus could not establish service connection.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for acne keloid scars of the face, chest and abdomen, and shoulders and back have been granted. The effective date is not specified.

The Board has ordered further development due to pending issues regarding the veteran's skin disorder, including herpes simplex and dermatitis herpetiformis. The case is being remanded for a VA examination and additional review.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral elbow epicondylitis, fibromyalgia (bilateral shoulder, hip and knee fibrositis), and chronic dermatitis (prurigo nodularis) are all service-connected due to their onset during his active duty in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae is being remanded due to the need for additional private medical evidence and consideration of new regulations.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for pseudofolliculitis barbae, the highest available under current VA regulations. The veteran's condition is characterized by pitting scars on his chin and cheeks.