Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2006

The VA denied the veteran's claim for service connection for nummular dermatitis, stating that there is no medical evidence linking his skin disorder to service or exposure to herbicides.

The veteran's claim for service connection for tinea pedis is being remanded due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for additional development of his claims file.

The RO granted an increased rating of 10 percent for pes planus with bunions postoperative and hallux valgus, effective June 22, 2004. The RO denied service connection for tinea versicolor and residuals of injury, left thigh, finding that the veteran had not submitted new and material evidence to reopen the claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae and post traumatic stress disorder due to lack of competent evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board found that there is no competent evidence linking the diagnosed conditions to service, including any service-connected disabilities. Therefore, the claims for service connection were denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and consideration of his claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating in any of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for the veteran's tinea pedis with callus on the plantar aspect of his right foot, finding that it affects more than 5 percent but less than 20 percent of his entire body and does not require immunosuppressive therapy.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for tinea pedis and tinea versicolor due to incomplete verification of his service periods. The RO is instructed to obtain specific verification from the appropriate service organization, review the claims file, and readjudicate the claims in light of any additional evidence obtained.

The Board found that the veteran's condition did not result from negligence by VA, and denied his claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The veteran's claims for residuals of a brain injury, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), arthritis of the hands, and sleep deprivation are denied. The veteran is granted service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae and bilateral knee disability.

The veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, his right ankle fracture at 10 percent, and gastritis, dermatitis, and sinusitis are all rated as noncompensably disabling. The RO denied the TDIU rating on appeal.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to the need for further development of evidence. The specific issues include a request for higher initial rating for facial scar, reopening of service connection claims for left shoulder and low back conditions, as well as other knee and leg conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, as evidenced by his hearing loss and skin rash being attributed to pre-existing conditions. The respiratory disorder is also attributed to a diagnosed condition (asthma), and headaches are linked to hypertension. Service connection was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and evaluation of the veteran's skin disability, including determining whether any service-connected skin disabilities are related to military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected neurodermatitis and chronic urticaria do not warrant a higher disability evaluation as there is no evidence of ankylosis, unfavorable ankylosis of the entire spine or thoracolumbar spine, or incapacitating episodes meeting the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's seborrheic dermatitis was not incurred in, aggravated by, or otherwise related to active service, including inservice exposure to Agent Orange. The VA examiner found no link between the veteran's current condition and his service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II and post-operative residuals of a left knee injury are not service-connected. The low back disability is granted with a finding of in-service onset. The acneform lesions of the upper back do not meet criteria for an increased rating. Tinea pedis does not warrant a compensable rating.

The veteran's claims for service connection for chloracne and other skin disabilities, including myeloma, dermatitis, folliculitis, tinea pedis, and scrotal angiokeratomas, all claimed as secondary to Agent Orange exposure, were denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of chloracne and concluded that the veteran's skin conditions are not related to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board finds that a VA facility was not feasibly available to provide the veteran's care from December 27, 2003, to December 29, 2003. Therefore, the criteria for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical services have been met.