Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2008

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU rating under either the percentage or extraschedular standards.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluation of his skin disability, reopening of a previously denied claim for service connection for lumbosacral strain, and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. &#1151 for residuals of ventral hernia repair were all denied.

The Board found that the veteran does not have a current heart condition, urinary tract condition, groin condition, right knee condition, or right leg condition related to service. The veteran's tinea versicolor and pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) were aggravated by service, while his hearing loss was not shown to be due to service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly assess the veteran's claims for service connection. This includes obtaining medical records, scheduling examinations, and ensuring all relevant evidence is considered.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus granting total disability based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has determined that the appellant meets the criteria for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only due to permanent impairment of vision in both eyes resulting from service-connected glaucoma.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected chronic dermatitis did not meet or exceed the criteria for a higher evaluation, maintaining a rating of 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected ankle disabilities played a material causal role in his death, and therefore grants service connection for the cause of the veteran's death.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression. The claimant's acne vulgaris of the face was also denied a higher rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for acneiform disease due to dioxin exposure, finding that the matter had already been addressed in a final decision and was not subject to further review.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for iritis and entitlement to a TDIU, finding that there was no evidence of current disability from iritis or sufficient medical nexus between her service-connected keratosis folliculitis and iritis. The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for right ankle sprain is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case for further action, including consideration of an extraschedular rating for tinea pedis and reconsideration of the TDIU claim.

The veteran is granted an initial compensable disability evaluation for a hammertoe of the right foot from March 26, 1993 to July 22, 2001. For the period after July 23, 2001, he is not entitled to a higher rating for his hammertoe. The veteran's tinea pedis with onychomycosis is currently rated at 10 percent and no higher.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining unrectouched color photos of his head, face and neck, and any available records from employment counseling at the Vet Center. The case will be readjudicated to determine if the skin condition causes disfigurement under a specific regulation effective August 30, 2002, or for extraschedular consideration.

The Board found no evidence of a link between the veteran's current skin disorder and his service, including exposure to herbicides. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected tinea pedis did not warrant a rating greater than 10 percent, and denied his claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus as they were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected skin disability, tinea versicolor/progressive macular hypomelanosis, does not warrant a higher initial evaluation as it affects less than 20 percent of his entire body and no exposed areas. The current 10% rating is therefore denied.

The Board found that the veteran's skin disorders, including psoriasis, pityriasis rubra pilaris, and acne, were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The presumption of exposure to herbicides (Agent Orange) did not apply due to lack of Vietnam service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not presented to reopen the claims for service connection for atopic dermatitis and a right hand disability, as there is no medical evidence suggesting these conditions were present in service or are etiologically related to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's skin disorder, diagnosed as actinic keratoses and seborrheic dermatitis, was not manifested during service or for many years thereafter and is not shown to be related to his service or any events therein, including exposure to vesicant agents. Therefore, service connection for a skin disorder (other than of the face or chest) is denied.