Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2004

The Board denied service connection for eczema of the right hand and granted a noncompensable rating for fungal infection of the toenails, including removal of multiple toenails. The veteran's current condition does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for psoriasis and left knee disability, as well as his requests to service connect bilateral elbow pain and gout. The RO had previously granted service connection for these conditions but did not assign appropriate disability ratings.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The veteran's claims for service connection for tinea pedis, chronic headaches (including as a result of exposure to Agent Orange), and an increased rating for Hepatitis B are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The VA will obtain medical records, arrange for examinations, and review the claims file.

The veteran's claim for service connection for chloracne is denied as he does not currently have this condition. His skin disorders are diagnosed as acne vulgaris, contact dermatitis, cystic acne, and other rashes.

The Board dismissed the motion for revision of a November 1, 1996 decision based on clear and unmistakable error due to the Court's affirmance of the denial of service connection for various conditions as residuals of Agent Orange exposure.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to changes in the law and need for updated examinations.

The Board has determined that further development is required before deciding this appeal, and the case must be remanded to the RO for compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA).

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim of service connection for skin disability and remanded it for further development. The RO denied service connection in April 1985, finding no evidence that the conditions had their onset during his period of active duty.

The Board found that the veteran's tinea pedis, chronic reflux, and polyarthralgia were not incurred in or aggravated by his active military service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected skin disorder is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of both old and new rating criteria.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, stomach disorder, low back disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and cellulitis and tinea barbae. The reasons are that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The veteran claims service connection for dermatitis, including as secondary exposure to Agent Orange. The Board finds the current record inadequate and remands the case for further development.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected folliculitis with tinea pedis is being remanded to the RO for consideration under both old and new versions of the rating criteria, as well as for a VA dermatology examination.

The veteran's recurrent dermatitis is rated as 10 percent disabling, which is the maximum available under current rating criteria.,The residuals of bilateral plantar warts are currently evaluated as noncompensable. The Board finds no basis to grant a higher evaluation for this condition.