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

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings and service connection. The claims for prostate cancer as secondary to prostatitis were also withdrawn, but the Veteran's assertions regarding potential VA negligence in failing to diagnose or treat prostate cancer did not meet the criteria for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Board has ordered additional development due to the need for an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's dry skin is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The claim will be reconsidered after this development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his eczema claim, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting a skin examination to determine the extent of his service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected seborrheic dermatitis/eczema is now rated at 60 percent effective as of January 9, 2009. Prior to this date, the condition covered less than 40% of his body or exposed areas and did not require systemic therapy.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private hospital were denied as VA facilities were feasibly available and the emergency treatment was not necessary.

The Veteran's service-connected heart condition effectively prevents him from ambulating without the aid of a wheelchair, which constitutes loss of use of both feet. Therefore, he is entitled to financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment.

The Board found that the Veteran's foot rash, including tinea pedis and onychomycosis pedis, was not incurred during service or due to a disease or injury in service. The VA examiner concluded that the current skin disorder is unrelated to service.

The Veteran's service-connected skin disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating, as it affects less than 20 percent of his entire body or exposed areas and systemic therapy is not required.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because he died prior to the Board issuing a decision on his claims for higher ratings for his skin disorder and left shoulder condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for major depression, eczema, and fibromyalgia as they were not related to his military service or due to undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a Travel Board hearing at his RO in St. Petersburg, Florida.

The Veteran's combined rating for all service-connected disabilities is 60 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a TDIU. The Board finds that the Veteran is currently employed as a full-time computer technician and is not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's skin condition of the hands, feet, and scrotum was evaluated under the old rating criteria. The Board found that his condition did not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher initial rating than 10 percent.

The Veteran's chloracne is predominantly manifested by deep acne affecting areas of the body other than the face and neck. The Board finds that this does not meet the criteria for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess her eczema disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, without regard to any non-service-connected disabilities or his age, render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's right leg venous insufficiency with stasis dermatitis has been rated at 40 percent since July 5, 2006. The Board found that the condition does not warrant a higher rating as there are no ulcerations or constant systemic therapy required.

The Veteran's tinea pedis does not meet the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent as it does not cover 20 to 40 percent of his entire body or exposed areas, and does not require systemic therapy such as corticosteroids.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is related to service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chloracne was incurred in or aggravated by active service, granting his claim for service connection.