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

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, and initial ratings for pseudofolliculitis barbae and left shoulder bursitis with degenerative arthritis were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current hearing loss disability meeting VA criteria, and the Veteran did not have a diagnosed condition that would warrant an increased rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board finds that the evidence does not support granting service connection for a skin disorder, including seborrheic dermatitis on the face, back, and arms.

The Board granted the Veteran an initial compensable disability rating for his tinea pedis, denied increased ratings for his pes planus and headaches, but granted a higher rating (70%) for his PTSD effective from March 24, 2004. The effective dates for TDIU and DEA benefits were also established.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin condition, specifically pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), and granted service connection based on evidence showing that PFB preexisted his active duty periods but was aggravated by service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including asthma, a left calf strain disability, obstructive sleep apnea, tinea capitis, chlamydial urethritis, and vasectomy. The reasons given were that there was insufficient credible evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of private medical expenses incurred in December 2008 and January 2009 is denied as VA did not provide prior authorization for the treatment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claims of tinea pedis, residuals of snow blindness, and sleep disorder. Bilateral hearing loss was not established as a result of service. Service connection cannot be granted for tobacco and alcohol use.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder (chloracne) and lung disorder was denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been presented to reopen the lung disorder claim.

The appeal is being REMANDED to the RO for additional development and readjudication of issues including service connection for right foot hallux valgus and hammertoes, increased ratings for lumbar spine disability and tinea pedis, and a TDIU rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current skin disorder or soft bones condition, and there is no evidence of such conditions during service. The claim for service connection for these conditions was denied in November 1969 due to lack of pre-existing conditions. New evidence received since then did not provide new material information.

The Veteran's claims were granted, with some issues receiving increased evaluations and others having effective dates assigned. The service-connected conditions include left wrist fracture, left ankle disability, asthma, and a skin disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates were denied. The RO granted service connection for right knee arthritis on April 7, 2004.

The Veteran's service connection claim for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran had PFB during his active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a separate disability rating for mid-chest pain and shortness of breath is dismissed as the symptoms are already compensated by his service-connected thoracic spine disorder.,Left lower extremity radiculopathy was proximately due to, or the result of, his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for additional development of his treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) on account of loss of use of both hands due to service-connected atopic dermatitis was denied as the condition does not meet the criteria for SMC.

The Veteran's hypertension is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum available benefit.,Prior to May 13, 2010, his tinea cruris was rated as noncompensable. From May 13, 2010 onwards, it has been rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected atopic dermatitis alone renders him unemployable, and the Board grants TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected folliculitis decalvans with cystic acne is found to affect his employability, and a VA examination is needed to assess the impact on his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.