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

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to active duty service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings, finding no evidence of a pending claim prior to August 6, 2003, for service connection. The claims were also denied for service connection for various conditions.

The Veteran's tinea versicolor is found to have had its onset during service, and he is granted service connection. His hypertension is rated at the minimum of 10%.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals of the increased rating issues for tinea versicolor and residuals of a right distal fibula fracture prior to their decision. The appeal for an increased rating for anxiety and depressive disorder remains.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, skin disease, vascular diseases, cervical and lumbar spine disorders, and kidney failure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral foot condition, claimed as blistering of the feet, is being remanded due to insufficient evidence and need for further medical examination.

The Board denied reopening of claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, psoriasis, and hypertension as new and material evidence was not submitted. The Veteran's statements regarding exposure to herbicides in Vietnam were found to lack credibility.

The Board has granted service connection for post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation dermatitis rash and bilateral plantar fasciitis, finding that the Veteran's conditions are at least as likely as not related to his active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected generalized anxiety disorder and skin disability.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to his service-connected left orchiectomy due to torsion. The Board finds that the Veteran's current depression may be related to his active military service, but not to his acne vulgaris of the face, chest, and back.

The Board has determined that there is no link between the Veteran's current skin condition and his in-service treatment, thus denying service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA medical examination to assess whether his service-connected disabilities alone prevent him from maintaining substantially gainful employment, and for obtaining SSA records relevant to this claim.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae and heart disorder, manifested by chest pain and/or clogged arteries are service-connected. The right knee disorder is also service-connected as it was aggravated by a pre-existing injury before service. No new evidence or reopening of claims for hyperpigmentation of the skin has been presented.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability and acne on the face and head, as these claims were previously denied in April 2006.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred at Sacred Heart Hospital on January 3, 2005 is granted as the services were provided in an emergency and no VA facilities were feasibly available.

The Board denied service connection for cervical nerve damage with decreased strength of both arms, right hip disability, left hip disability, tinea pedis and onychomycosis of both feet, and bilateral CTS disabilities. The Veteran's claims were reopened but the Board found no evidence to support these conditions as being related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection and an increased evaluation for dermatitis of the bilateral feet. The Veteran's claim for a skin disorder of the arms, hands, and legs is also being addressed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and Social Security Administration (SSA) records, scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his skin disability and prostatitis, and readjudicating the claims.

The Veteran's chloracne is related to active military service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's skin condition, diagnosed as chronic folliculitis and pityriasis lichenoides chronica, is not etiologically related to active service.