Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination. The AOJ will attempt to obtain completed VA Form 21-4192 from his former employers, seek any relevant vocational rehabilitation records, and provide a VA examination to assess his employability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinea pedis does not meet or approximate the criteria for a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected status post right middle finger laceration with residual terminal phalanx paresthesia and pes planus do not warrant higher disability ratings. The Veteran's service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further evaluations of his service-connected disabilities, pseudofolliculitis barbae and hypertension. The case will be returned to the Board after these evaluations are completed.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is less than the required 70 percent for pension eligibility, and his disabilities do not render him unemployable.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus is found to be the primary cause of his skin conditions, including neuropathic wounds and ulcers on both feet. The Board finds that these conditions are not related to service or any other presumptive exposure.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, multiple sclerosis, a skin condition (chloracne), hyperlipidemia, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The decision was based on lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his left ankle fracture and pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The Veteran's tinea of the right foot was evaluated and found to cover less than 5% of his total body surface area, with no systemic therapy required. The condition did not result in any scars or significant functional impairment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, and initial ratings for pseudofolliculitis barbae and left shoulder bursitis with degenerative arthritis were denied. The Board found no evidence of a current hearing loss disability meeting VA criteria, and the Veteran did not have a diagnosed condition that would warrant an increased rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board finds that the evidence does not support granting service connection for a skin disorder, including seborrheic dermatitis on the face, back, and arms.

The Board granted the Veteran an initial compensable disability rating for his tinea pedis, denied increased ratings for his pes planus and headaches, but granted a higher rating (70%) for his PTSD effective from March 24, 2004. The effective dates for TDIU and DEA benefits were also established.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin condition, specifically pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), and granted service connection based on evidence showing that PFB preexisted his active duty periods but was aggravated by service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including asthma, a left calf strain disability, obstructive sleep apnea, tinea capitis, chlamydial urethritis, and vasectomy. The reasons given were that there was insufficient credible evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of private medical expenses incurred in December 2008 and January 2009 is denied as VA did not provide prior authorization for the treatment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claims of tinea pedis, residuals of snow blindness, and sleep disorder. Bilateral hearing loss was not established as a result of service. Service connection cannot be granted for tobacco and alcohol use.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder (chloracne) and lung disorder was denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been presented to reopen the lung disorder claim.

The appeal is being REMANDED to the RO for additional development and readjudication of issues including service connection for right foot hallux valgus and hammertoes, increased ratings for lumbar spine disability and tinea pedis, and a TDIU rating.