Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's treatment on February 25, 2006 at Claremore Regional Hospital was rendered for a medical emergency and that VA or federal facilities were not feasibly available to him. Therefore, payment or reimbursement of unauthorized private medical expenses incurred is granted.

The veteran seeks a higher rating for his service-connected folliculitis of the posterior neck and an earlier effective date. He also seeks service connection for a sinus disorder and bilateral hearing loss. The case is remanded to determine if service-connection was previously established, obtain missing records, and re-adjudicate the claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tinea pedis was incurred in service and granted service connection for this condition. The Board also found no evidence of a current foot disability other than tinea pedis, which is not related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear opinions and a missing hearing transcript. The veteran's claim for service connection for tinea pedis will be reviewed under both direct and secondary theories of service connection.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed conditions, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, vascular disease, cerebrovascular accident, osteoporosis, and dermatitis, due to exposure to ionizing radiation. The claims were found not well grounded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected prostatitis, low back pain with degenerative changes, tinea pedis of the right foot, and multiple verruca of the pubic and crural areas.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder, claimed as psoriasis, is being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining missing VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The veteran withdrew her appeal for service connection for mechanical low back pain and entitlement to a 10 percent evaluation based on multiple noncompensable, service connected disabilities. The remaining issues are being remanded for additional development.

The veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD and an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was denied. The claim for service connection for allergic rhinitis was also denied. The claim for service connection for headaches has a final decision in favor of reopening the claim. Service connection for acne vulgaris is granted with a 30% disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining inpatient treatment records and a VA examination.

The VA has determined that the veteran's tinea pedis with onychomycosis does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for chloracne, gastrointestinal disorders, and sleep apnea due to lack of evidence showing current diagnoses or a link to military service.

The Board found that the veteran's claimed conditions are not related to cold injury in service and denied all claims.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or at the housebound rate is denied as he does not meet the criteria for such benefits.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected acne vulgaris does not warrant a compensable disability rating as there is no evidence of active lesions or significant scarring.

The veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to his spine and skin conditions, including seeking service connection for periodontal disease and increased disability ratings for cervical and lumbar spine disorders. The case is being remanded for further development.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation until October 9, 2002, when his combined rating became 80 percent disabling. The Board denied the request for an effective date prior to this date.

The Board has granted an initial compensable rating of 10 percent for pseudofolliculitis barbae and service connection for scars on the dorsum of the feet secondary to in-service blisters. The veteran's other claims have been denied.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for tinea cruris (a rash on the testicles, penis, and groin) is being remanded due to inadequate notice.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for left knee disability and seborrheic dermatitis are being remanded to the RO for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of new criteria for rating skin disorders effective August 30, 2002.