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

The Board finds that the veteran's current diagnoses of prurigo nodularis and dermatitis are etiologically related to his military service, including treatment for skin disorders during service.

The Board has granted service connection for psoriasis and an increased rating for Osgood-Schlatter's disease of the right knee.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae is being remanded due to the failure to appear for a scheduled VA examination. The case will be reviewed again after the additional development.

The Board denied increased ratings for peptic ulcer disease and tinea pedis, finding that the veteran's conditions did not warrant a higher rating based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural issues and needs further development before a final decision can be made on the claim of service connection for psoriasis.

The Board denied the claim for an earlier effective date of June 17, 1996 for a 30 percent evaluation for discoid lupus erythematosus with dermatitis of the face and forearms and hair loss of the scalp.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for tinea infection of his hands and feet is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a thorough examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA examination of the veteran's left thumb and skin condition. The claims will be reconsidered based on both old and revised rating criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of heat rash, candidal infection and tinea cruris. The claim for PTSD was not reopened as new and material evidence had not been submitted. Other claims were also denied.

The veteran's initial compensable rating for plantar psoriasis remains at zero percent, as her condition does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under the revised skin disability rating criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an effective date prior to December 27, 2002, for a 10 percent disability evaluation for service-connected tinea cruris.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for chest and trunk acne and scalp seborrheic dermatitis is being remanded due to the failure to obtain a VA examination report. The RO will attempt to obtain this report and consider it in adjudicating the claim.

The Board denied service connection for a skin condition (folliculitis) and Epstein-Barr virus, finding no evidence of current disability related to active service.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for eczema of the hands is being remanded due to a need for further examination and consideration.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chloracne due to exposure to Agent Orange and denied his increased rating claims for burn scars of the right hand and left hand. The veteran was not granted any new ratings.

The Board found that the appellant's skin conditions, including seborrheic dermatitis and generalized xerosis, are not caused by Agent Orange exposure or service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a chronic skin disorder due to Agent Orange exposure is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and updating the claims file.

The Board has found that additional development is necessary before the claims may be properly adjudicated, and thus remands the case to the RO for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for a skin condition including recurrent dermatitis and tinea pedis, effective from September 17, 2005. The veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of disability compensation for tinnitus is pending.