Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that additional VA treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records are needed to make a fully informed decision on the appellant's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinea versicolor.

The Board found no evidence of chloracne or tinnitus in service and denied both claims due to lack of a nexus between the conditions and service. The Veteran's exposure to noise during service is conceded, but his reported onset of tinnitus more than 30 years after separation from service makes it less likely that the current conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no competent medical evidence showing that any of the claimed conditions had their onset in service or within one year after discharge.

The Veteran's current skin disorders are being reviewed to determine if they are related to his service, including exposure to Agent Orange. The case is remanded for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, the highest available rating under VA guidelines. The Board has also granted entitlement to a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's eczema was rated at the maximum schedular rating, and his PTSD was increased to a higher rating effective March 18, 2004. The TDIU rating remains in effect.

The Veteran is seeking increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities and seeks to establish service connection for other conditions.,The Veteran is also seeking a compensable rating for recurrent otitis externa-media.,The Veteran is seeking an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic sinusitis with a history of allergic rhinitis.,The Veteran is seeking service connection for bronchial asthma, pseudofolliculitis barbae, lupus erythematous of the face, and Lyme disease.,The Veteran is also seeking service connection for depression.,The Veteran seeks service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, lupus erythematous of the face, and Lyme disease.,The Veteran seeks service connection for depression.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not worsened to the extent that he is unable to perform his current job as a defensive tactics and firearm instructor, nor has there been any change in occupational requirements necessitating additional services. Therefore, an extension of his period of eligibility for vocational rehabilitation benefits was denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have significant residual symptoms from Bell's palsy, and his other conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right foot disability and psoriasis were denied. The Board found no current disability of the right wrist, and that any current disorder of the right foot is not related to residuals of the fractured great toe. For psoriasis, the Board found no indication of its onset during active service or etiological relationship to service.

The Veteran's skin disorders and paresthesia in the upper extremities are being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine their etiology.

The Board has determined that the evidence submitted by the Veteran since the June 1970 RO denial does not constitute new and material evidence, and therefore, the appeal for reopening claims of service connection for psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for psoriasis or seborrhea of the scalp and rash of the groin were denied as there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service, including herbicide exposure. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current disability during service and that any post-service diagnoses could not be presumed due to the long period between separation from service and diagnosis.

The Board has granted service connection for chloracne due to presumed exposure to herbicides during active duty in Vietnam. The Veteran's low back disability is also found to be related to his combat injuries sustained during service, and the Board has determined that this relationship is as likely as not caused by his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin condition, including psoriasis, is not etiologically related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, while his dermatitis with resulting alopecia and hearing loss are denied. His PTSD claim for a higher rating remains pending.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, including hypertensive heart disease. The Veteran is found to be in need of regular aid and assistance in attending to his daily activities.

The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for reimbursement of unauthorized, non-VA medical expenses incurred on November 1-2, 2005 at a private hospital due to lack of emergency circumstances and failure to obtain prior authorization.