Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2006

The veteran's claims are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the RO did not appropriately reduce the rating for the veteran's prostate cancer and failed to provide proper VCAA notice on his increased ratings claims. The appeal is being REMANDED to address these issues.

The veteran seeks an earlier effective date for a 10% evaluation for pseudofolliculitis barbae. The Board finds that the criteria for such an earlier effective date have not been met.

The veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for acne with mild uticaria lesion was granted, and he is currently rated at 30 percent.

The veteran's claim for a higher rating for his acne vulgaris is being remanded due to the need for further medical examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's skin condition, dyshydrotic eczema, is related to service and granted service connection for this disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's eczema and folliculitis did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to April 5, 2004. From April 5, 2004, an evaluation in excess of 30 percent is denied.

The veteran's acne vulgaris was rated at 10 percent prior to August 30, 2002 and increased to 30 percent on and after that date.

The veteran's claim for a higher initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for varicose vein stripping is granted. The other claims are either denied or pending.

The veteran's initial increased evaluation for PTSD is granted at a 30 percent rating, effective July 6, 2001. The veteran's initial increased evaluation for tinea corporis is also granted at a 10 percent rating, effective July 6, 2001.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating for tinea, finding that the condition does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under either the old or new VA rating criteria.

The veteran's pyelonephritis and tinea versicolor are currently rated as noncompensable. The claim for service connection of diabetes mellitus is remanded due to the need for additional medical records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and service connection, finding that his tinea versicolor was inactive since 2002. The appeals to reopen previously denied claims of right knee disorder, headaches, hypertension, and left knee disorder were also denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete medical records and insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of the veteran's cervical, lumbar spine, and skin disorders.

The Board has remanded the matters involving whether new and material evidence was received to reopen a claim for service connection for a right foot disorder, and entitlement to an increased rating for status post left ankle fracture. The claims of service connection for a left foot disorder and for an increased rating for eczema are denied.

The veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae was incurred or aggravated in service, and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The other issues are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for tinea pedis was denied due to his failure to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The Board found no evidence of chloracne or a skin disorder linked to the veteran's military service, including his presumed exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The claim is denied.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinea pedis and a papular rash on both thighs, finding that the veteran's skin conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under either the old or new schedular criteria.

The veteran's anxiety reaction with depressive features associated with neurodermatitis was rated at 30 percent prior to August 30, 2002.,From August 30, 2002 through June 13, 2006, the veteran was granted a 50 percent rating for his service-connected anxiety reaction with depressive features associated with neurodermatitis.,Effective from June 14, 2006, the veteran's anxiety reaction with depressive features associated with neurodermatitis is rated at 70 percent.