Skin conditions (dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis) decisions — 2012

The Veteran's skin disability, including nummular dermatitis with tinea corporis, and bilateral knee disability, including patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right and left patella, are found to be related to service. The Veteran's PTSD is also granted as his claimed stressors are consistent with service and supported by a VA psychiatrist.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the evidence does not establish a current disability for which service connection may be granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for an examination and to obtain all of his VA medical records. The RO will then readjudicate the claim.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of skin rash and granted it, finding that there is sufficient evidence to establish a current disability (dermatitis) with continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board denied the claim for an increased rating for psoriasis as the appellant failed to appear for a scheduled VA examination without providing good cause.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is currently rated at 10 percent, the minimum rating available under Diagnostic Code 7806. The condition does not meet criteria for a higher rating as it has not involved more than 20% of exposed areas or required systemic therapy.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, and the Board finds that it is at least as likely as not related to his military service. The remaining issues on appeal are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Board has remanded the case to allow for a DRO hearing, as requested by the Veteran. The claim of reopening service connection for skin disorders remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection, but his claim for a skin disorder other than cystic acne was denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's left elbow, left ring finger, skin, left knee, right knee, and lumbar spine disabilities have been rated as noncompensable or 10 percent prior to July 19, 2011. Effective July 19, 2011, the ratings for left elbow and left knee disabilities were increased to 10 percent.

The Board granted the Veteran's appeal and assigned a 30 percent disability rating for PTSD, effective from August 18, 2010. The earlier effective dates for service connection of PTSD and diabetes mellitus were also granted.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining relevant VA treatment records and scheduling a VA aid and attendance examination.

The Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of a left foot injury, skin disorder, and lung disorder are all granted.

The Veteran's pseudofolliculitis barbae is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding his claims for service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, neuropathy of the upper extremities, right eye disability, cervical spine disability, headaches, and acne vulgaris. The appeals are dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Board has ordered additional development of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations. The appeal is currently in remand status.

The Veteran's service-connected dermatitis has not met the criteria for a compensable rating prior to January 8, 2009, and does not meet the criteria for a disability rating greater than 10 percent from January 8, 2009, to the present.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess his eczematous dermatitis, as the previous one from 2006 is outdated. The Veteran will be asked to provide color photographs of any flare-ups and requested to identify any private treatment received since June 2009.