Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2000

The VA has granted an increased rating of 70% for the service-connected psychiatric disability effective April 22, 1999, but denied increased ratings for acne vulgaris and psychiatric disabilities prior to specific dates. The veteran's appeal is mixed as some issues were granted while others were denied.

The veteran's cystic acne and right ankle sprains have been granted increased evaluations, while service connection for a right shoulder contusion secondary to recurrent right ankle sprains has also been established.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The RO granted service connection for PTSD, but denied the other issues on appeal.

The Board has determined that the veteran's dermatitis is related to service and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has granted the veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinea versicolor and pseudofolliculitis barbae, with a rating of 30 percent for tinea versicolor.

The veteran's service-connected dermatophytosis (tinea versicolor) is productive of disability which does not exceed that of eczema with constant exudation or itching, extensive lesions, or marked disfigurement. The criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent have not been met.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and higher ratings, finding no new and material evidence to reopen his claims. The PTSD claim was granted with a 10% rating.

The Board has granted a 10% rating for the veteran's service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae and found that his chronic right eye disability is service connected.

The Board denied service connection for acne in 1985 and 1987. The veteran's reopened claim was received on May 4, 2000, which is the effective date of the grant of service connection.

The veteran's service-connected Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma has not recurred or spread, and he is considered cured. The Board denied an increased rating for this condition.

The veteran's skin condition was found to be noncompensably disabling, while his right knee disorder with osteoarthritis has been rated at 10% effective from January 29, 2000.

The Board has granted an increased evaluation of 30 percent for the appellant's tinea pedis disability, effective from January 1999. The right ear dermatitis and eczematoid condition is rated at 10 percent.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and mixed personality disorder (mental depression), but denied his claim for pseudofolliculitis barbae. The decision is considered 'mixed' as some issues were granted while others were not.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder and bilateral pes planus, but granted service connection for plantar fasciitis of the left foot. The decision did not address foot and ankle disorders as a whole.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for psoriasis, finding that there is no evidence linking the condition to his military service.

The veteran's service connection claims for COPD, Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and Chloracne secondary to exposure to Agent Orange are denied. The claim for an increased evaluation of PTSD is granted with a rating of 50 percent. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for chondromalacia of the right patella is also granted.

The veteran's initial evaluations for eczema, peptic ulcer disease with hiatal hernia, postoperative residuals of meniscectomy of the right knee, and residuals of an injury to the left knee were all granted. The evaluation for residual of an injury to the right shoulder was also granted.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected right knee injury with post-traumatic arthritis and seborrheic dermatitis of the face and scalp, both rated at 10 percent.

The veteran's tinea unguium and tinea pedis of the feet were incurred during his service in Vietnam, and the Board has granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to issues regarding service connection for PTSD, as well as evaluations for tinea cruris, tinea versicolor, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and hemorrhoids. The veteran's claim is not about exposure to specific environmental factors.