Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2014

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities of status post abdomen wound, PFB, and allergic rhinitis are being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for nummular eczema, finding that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether it had its onset during active service and has continued since service. The Veteran's claims for other conditions are remanded for additional development.

The Board found that the reduction of the Veteran's eczema rating from 30 percent to noncompensable was proper based on the evidence at the time of the reduction.

The Veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance was denied as her orthotic inserts and topical acne medications do not cause wear or tear on her clothing.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 80 percent, which meets the minimum percentage requirements for a TDIU. However, his service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable without regard to age or non-service-connected disorders.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are likely due to noise exposure during his military service, granting these claims.

The Veteran's claims for multiple myeloma, chloracne/skin disability, arthritis, sinusitis, asthma, and hypertension have been denied as there is no competent evidence of a current disability related to service or the exposure basis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, determine the nature and etiology of his acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral knee condition, bilateral hip condition, and chloracne, and provide a VA examination for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable evaluation for dyshidrotic eczema of the feet prior to January 17, 2013, and a rating of 10 percent thereafter was granted. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and panic disorder with agoraphobia, was also addressed.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the inadequacy of the July 2010 VA examination, which did not address whether the Veteran's skin disabilities are related to service or to his service-connected diabetes mellitus and/or Agent Orange exposure. The case is now returned for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, finding that the conditions are related to service and secondary to a pre-existing condition.

The Board has granted service connection for cystic acne, finding that the Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents in Korea during his service is related to his current condition. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities. The current combined rating for the Veteran's service-connected conditions is 70 percent.

The Veteran's hearing loss and tinnitus are not service-connected as they do not meet the criteria for disability under VA regulations, and there is no evidence of in-service noise exposure. The Veteran's dermatitis or eczema was diagnosed after discharge.,There is no current skin disorder related to service.

The Veteran's athlete's feet, cellulitis, and contact (allergic) dermatitis are all found to be service-connected. The Veteran engaged in combat during service and is presumed to have been exposed to herbicide agents. Athlete's feet are linked to symptoms of jungle rot during service. Cellulitis is found to be secondary to athlete's feet. Contact (allergic) dermatitis is not found to be related to service or herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred from March 2007 to August 2012 at Sierra Vista Dental, M.A.L., D.D.S., and J.B.L., D.M.D was denied as the treatment was not authorized in advance by VA.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and the completion of an examination report.

The Veteran's combined schedular disability rating is at least 80%, meeting the criteria for a TDIU. The Board finds that his service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, as they prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's right knee disability, including arthritis and chondromalacia of the right knee, is not service-connected.,There is no evidence of a current skin disease other than pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's actinic keratosis is related to his exposure to ionizing radiation during military service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The other skin disorders are not found to be related to service or ionizing radiation exposure.