Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of pseudofolliculitis barbae and did not have this condition during service. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private hospital for treatment of his seizure disorder and headaches were deemed necessary due to the nature of his condition, which posed a serious threat to his health. The emergency nature of his seizures necessitated immediate care.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for dermatitis was denied as the disability did not meet the criteria for a higher schedular rating, and there was no evidence of exceptional or unusual circumstances warranting an extraschedular evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude her from engaging in substantially gainful employment, and therefore the criteria for a TDIU have not been met.

The Veteran's application for nonservice-connected pension benefits was denied as he did not meet the basic eligibility requirements due to lack of evidence showing qualifying income and net worth, and medical evidence did not show his non-service connected conditions were severe enough to prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not cause unemployability, and the Board finds that he is capable of performing sedentary employment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations. The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions are being reviewed.

The Board found that the Veteran's current skin conditions are not related to his service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's cause of death was due to acute respiratory failure and renal failure, which were not service-connected. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected PTSD did not contribute substantially or materially to his death.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the increase in his rating for plantar fasciitis, which now results in a combined rating of 100 percent. The issue of whether he was eligible for TDIU prior to this change needs to be reconsidered.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction and skin disorder, as well as the evaluation of his ischemic heart disability, have been granted. The effective dates are not specified.

The Veteran's PFB is rated at 30 percent since August 30, 2002. The condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it has not involved more than 40% of exposed areas or required systemic therapy such as corticosteroids.

The Veteran's skin disability is related to active duty service, and the Board finds that his current skin eczema and/or dermatitis are etiologically related to service.,Regarding thyroid cancer, the evidence does not support a finding of in-service exposure or a nexus to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased evaluation of tinea curis and cystic acne, currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is manifested by papules to the beard area affecting approximately 2 percent of the facial skin and less than 1 percent of the total surface area of the body. The disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's service-connected psoriatic arthritis and psoriasis are so severe that they preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment since September 11, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining updated treatment records. The issues of service connection for various conditions are on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's skin disability of tinea versicolor was aggravated during service, and therefore grants service connection for aggravation.

The Veteran's appeals for hyperhidrosis, tinea versicolor with fungal infection, and TDIU have been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.