Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2009

The Veteran's right knee disorder is found to be aggravated by his service-connected left knee condition, and he is granted service connection for this secondary disability. For his seborrheic blepharitis associated with seborrheic dermatitis, the Veteran is awarded an initial 10 percent disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including left wrist disability, right carpal tunnel syndrome with extensor tendonitis (claimed as right wrist disability), muscle deterioration with pain and aches, bilateral foot disability, tinea pedis, bilateral shoulder disability, and allergic rhinitis, sinus problems and sinusitis, were not incurred in or aggravated by his active duty service. The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case to clarify the period of service during which the VA examiner believed that the Veteran had symptoms of multiple sclerosis. The claims for service connection will be readjudicated based on all available evidence, including new private medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected dermatophytosis of the hands and feet has been rated as 10 percent disabling since December 29, 1992. The Board found that the condition did not warrant a higher rating prior to this date.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and increased ratings for residuals of a fractured right wrist and history of tinea cruris/pedis (claimed as jungle rot) were denied. The Veteran was not shown to have PTSD due to in-service events, and his current disabilities did not meet the criteria for compensable initial or higher ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant and financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile and adaptive equipment have not been met.

The Board found that the Veteran's dermatitis of the hands and feet was not incurred in service or related to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral tinea pedis with onychomycosis is being remanded due to the need for clarification of his current treatment and further examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and dermatitis (claimed as a skin condition). The decision found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen his claim for a low back disorder, and he was denied on the merits. His claim for dermatitis is being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU rating due to their combined disability rating of 40 percent, which does not exceed the percentage requirements set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a). However, his right knee and other service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's tinea pedis with bilateral plantar calluses is rated at 20 percent, which approximates moderately severe foot injury. The Veteran's peripheral vascular disease does not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran does not have diabetes mellitus or a current skin disorder that can be presumed to have developed due to herbicide exposure. The Board denies service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection, but his spongiotic dermatitis claim is pending as the evidence does not establish a link to service or Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current dermatological conditions, including acne, as well as whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a non-VA facility on August 12 and 17, 2004 was denied as the services were not authorized in advance and there was no emergency situation.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for service-connected chloracne is being remanded to the RO for a new VA examination and consideration of whether staged ratings are appropriate at any point during the appeal period from September 1996 to the present. The old rating criteria will be applied to evidence dated before August 30, 2002, and may continue any rating awarded under that criteria on or after the effective date of the new criteria.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected allergic dermatitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, vision loss, arthritis, tinea pedis (jungle rot), and a skin condition including acne, are not related to service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease for any of these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's sleep apnea and skin condition, to include eczema, are not related to his period of active service. Therefore, he is denied entitlement to service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and tinea pedis have not survived him.