Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection, but his spongiotic dermatitis claim is pending as the evidence does not establish a link to service or Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of any current dermatological conditions, including acne, as well as whether they are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a non-VA facility on August 12 and 17, 2004 was denied as the services were not authorized in advance and there was no emergency situation.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for service-connected chloracne is being remanded to the RO for a new VA examination and consideration of whether staged ratings are appropriate at any point during the appeal period from September 1996 to the present. The old rating criteria will be applied to evidence dated before August 30, 2002, and may continue any rating awarded under that criteria on or after the effective date of the new criteria.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected allergic dermatitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, vision loss, arthritis, tinea pedis (jungle rot), and a skin condition including acne, are not related to service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease for any of these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's sleep apnea and skin condition, to include eczema, are not related to his period of active service. Therefore, he is denied entitlement to service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and tinea pedis have not survived him.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied across multiple issues, including dermatitis, PTSD, hip and knee disabilities, muscle cramps, shoulder impingement, upper back condition, cervical spine syndrome (neck condition), low back disability, and ankle disability. The appeals are all now denied.

The Veteran's skin disability, including DLE and contact dermatitis, has been rated at 10 percent since November 3, 2007.

The Board found that the appellant's melanoma and acne were not incurred in or aggravated by his military service, nor are they presumed to be due to exposure to chemical dioxins. The Board denied both claims.

The Veteran's service-connected dyshidrotic eczema was granted a 60 percent evaluation, effective prior to May 27, 2008. The issue of reopening his PTSD claim was also granted.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities was granted effective from July 2, 2005. The effective date is earlier than August 19, 2005 as the evidence shows that his full-time employment ended prior to this date.

The Board has granted increased ratings of 30 percent for service-connected pulmonary sarcoidosis and pseudofolliculitis barbae, effective from the date of the initial rating decisions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied, as the evidence did not show a relationship to active service. The claim for dermatitis was also denied due to lack of sufficient disability coverage under VA rating criteria. The Veteran's right hip condition and major depressive disorder were evaluated but no compensable ratings were granted.

The Veteran's dermatitis is manifested by discoloration and scaliness, involving more than 40 percent of exposed areas affected. The Board finds that an initial rating of 60 percent for dermatitis under Diagnostic Code 7806 is warranted.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance has been granted due to his service-connected disabilities, which include hypertension with left ventricular hypertrophy and probable old myocardial infarction, depression with cognitive disorder associated with residuals of cerebrovascular accident, prostate cancer with impotence, dermatitis breast and arms, history of hepatitis, and residuals of cerebrovascular accident with right upper extremity hand weakness. The Veteran requires assistance in performing daily activities due to his disabilities.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for tinea cruris and tinea pedis, finding new and material evidence. The Veteran's service treatment records show a history of fungal skin infections during active duty. A VA examination report from October 1972 confirmed current diagnoses of tinea pedis and probable tinea cruris. Service connection is granted for these conditions as they are considered to be directly related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's service-connected bipolar disorder does not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Veteran's skin disability, including chloracne, was not incurred in service and is not due to herbicide exposure. The claim for service connection is denied.