Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Veteran seeks service connection for a chronic skin condition and tinea cruris, which he claims began during his service in Vietnam. The VA is directed to obtain additional treatment records from Dr. Turnbo and ensure that all relevant service treatment records are obtained. A VA examination should be scheduled to determine if the Veteran's current skin conditions are related to his active military service.

The Veteran seeks reimbursement for unauthorized medical expenses incurred at a private facility on August 9, 2006. The VAMC denied the claim due to lack of prior VA authorization and because the treatment was not for a medical emergency.

The Veteran's skin disability, cystic acne with scarring of the face, affects approximately 40 percent or more of the face and neck. The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for this condition under Diagnostic Code 7828.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral toenail fungus has not resulted in more than 5% of his body or exposed areas being affected, and no systemic therapy such as corticosteroids is required. Therefore, he does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic skin condition in service or for many years thereafter, and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin rash due to shaving.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and a VA examination. The Veteran's skin disorder is being considered on its merits without any presumption or secondary connection to herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as his inability to work is attributed to both service-connected and nonservice-connected conditions.

The Veteran's skin disorders, including dyshidrotic eczema, tinea pedis, dyshidrosis and foot disorder, are being remanded for additional development as the VA examiner did not provide a determination on whether these conditions were incurred during service.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic bronchitis and non-specific dermatitis of the torso and upper extremities, as these conditions are not presumed due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The claim was denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional VA examination and development of evidence.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of entitlement to service connection for sleeplessness, depression, anxiety, and a bad temper prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's widow is denied nonservice-connected death pension benefits due to her income exceeding the statutory maximum.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for sinusitis, bilateral knee disability, and left ankle disability as new and material evidence was not received to reopen these claims. The claim of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is reopened but service connection is not granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's initial compensable evaluation for vascular tension headaches was denied prior to February 11, 2004. The Veteran's intermittent explosive disorder is not entitled to an increased evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to new evidence received after the March 2009 Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for fevers, chilly feelings, dyssomnia, aching joints, and a skin condition have been denied as there is no objective evidence of these conditions during or after service.

The Board has ordered a remand due to inconsistencies in the VA examination report and the need for clarification of the Veteran's skin conditions prior to service.

The veteran's autoimmune hepatitis is granted service connection, and she receives a 30% initial evaluation for her dyshydrotic eczema. The veteran also receives an initial 10% evaluation for her sinusitis and allergic rhinitis.

The Veteran's service-connected eczema/psoriasis of the hands is currently rated at 10 percent since January 26, 2009. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted prior to this date.