Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a cold injury to the feet, eczema, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, and flat feet were denied. The claim for an increased rating for athlete's foot was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain an updated VA examination and additional treatment records. The goal is to determine the current severity of his service-connected tinea versicolor.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral tinea pedis and bilateral great toe onchyomycosis have been rated at 60 percent since July 2014, the maximum rating available under VA's rating schedule.

The Veteran's skin condition, to include chloracne, is being remanded for further development including obtaining medical records and a VA examination. The claim will be reconsidered after the additional evidence is obtained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cause of death, intracerebral hemorrhage due to hypertension, was related to his service-connected disabilities and grants service connection for the cause of death.

The Veteran's current psoriasis began in service and the Board finds that it is related to his active duty, granting service connection.

The Veteran's skin disorder was not shown to cover 5 percent of exposed areas or of the entire body, and did not require systemic therapy for a total duration of less than 6 weeks. From August 19, 2010 to March 27, 2011, it required systemic therapy for a total duration of less than 6 weeks during a 12 week period. From March 28, 2011 to May 28, 2011, it required systemic therapy for a total duration of 6 weeks or more but not constantly. Since then, the skin disorder has covered 20 to 40 percent of exposed areas affected and/or required systemic therapy such as corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs for a total duration of six weeks or more, but not constantly.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence to support the claims and noted that the disabilities in question did not manifest within one year of separation from service.

The Veteran's service-connected tinea versicolor is rated at a noncompensable (0%) level. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus has been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is etiologically related to active service and grants service connection for this condition. The left pinky finger disability issue requires further development as it involves a recent injury.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's service-connected skin disability affects areas other than his scalp. The Veteran is seeking an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for his folliculitis of the scalp with keloid residuals.

Service connection has been granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder related to service-connected lumbar spine disability.,No new evidence was provided for the increased rating of pseudofolliculitis, so the current rating remains in effect.,The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is now rated at 40%, effective January 3, 2012.,Right and left lower extremity radiculopathy have been granted increased ratings to 20% each.,No new evidence was provided for the TDIU claim, so it remains pending.,The effective date for the 40 percent rating of lumbar spine disability is January 3, 2012.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining clarification from the Veteran's private physician regarding his skin condition and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's eczematous dermatitis has not affected more than 40 percent of the entire body or more than 40 percent of exposed areas, and did not require constant or near-constant systemic therapy such as corticosteroids or other immunosuppressive drugs during the past 12-month period. Therefore, an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for eczematous dermatitis is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating or service connection for any of the conditions listed.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on September 18, 2013 at The Villages Regional Hospital were not reimbursable because the treatment was not for a condition of such nature that delay would have been hazardous to life or health.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to notification from the Veteran.

The Veteran's service connection claims for diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, chloracne, and Dupuytren's contracture have been granted due to presumed exposure to herbicides during his Vietnam service.

The Veteran's claim for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses incurred from private dermatology treatment on June 6, 2011 was denied as the required elements under VA regulations were not met.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to March 23, 2011 for the grant of service connection for psuedofolliculitis barbae was granted. The claim to reopen his PTSD and depression claims was also granted. However, he is still denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD.