Citation Nr: 18151622
Decision Date: 11/20/18	Archive Date: 11/19/18

DOCKET NO. 15-22 064
DATE:	November 20, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to service connection for chronic external otitis is remanded.
Entitlement to service connection for eczema back, neck and chest area is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty from September 2002 to February 2006 in the United States Army.  The Veteran had subsequent service in the United States Army Reserves.
The Veteran indicated that his skin conditions may have onset during his service in the Army Reserves.  The AOJ should attempt to verify the Veteran’s period of active duty for training or inactive duty for training.  
The Veteran’s claims file does not appear to contain his complete service treatment records for his period of service in the Army Reserve.  As they may contain information regarding the Veteran’s report of treatment for skin conditions, a remand is required to obtain them.
 
1.  Entitlement to service connection for chronic external otitis is remanded.
2. Entitlement to service connection for eczema back, neck and chest area is remanded.
In addition to the need to obtain complete service treatment and personnel records, medical opinions are necessary to decide the claims. 
The Board cannot make a fully-informed decision on the claim off service connection for chronic external otitis because no VA examiner has adequately opined whether the Veteran has a diagnosis of chronic external otitis or any active skin condition that is etiologically related to active duty service.
The Veteran underwent a VA skin examination in September 2012 where the VA examiner found that he did not have, nor ever had, a diagnosed skin condition.  The examiner also indicated that the Veteran did not have an active skin condition at the time of the examination and that his skin issues noted in May 2006 had resolved with no residuals.

However, review of the Veteran’s claims file indicates that the Veteran has multiple indications of skin conditions and associated treatments, to include external otitis, as well as Veteran’s statements that these conditions come and go.  Therefore, on remand the Veteran should be afforded an additional VA examination to identify any diagnoseable external otitis or eczema, comment on the skin conditions and treatment indicated in the Veteran’s treatment records, and provide an etiological opinion for any external otitis or eczema identified. 
The matters are REMANDED for the following action:
1.  Obtain the Veteran’s complete service personnel records, to include all documents pertaining to his service in the Army Reserve.  Verify all active duty for training and inactive duty training dates for alleged service in the Army Reserve from 2006 to 2008.  If necessary, a request should be made to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS).  Document all requests for information as well as all responses in the claims file.
2.  Obtain the Veteran’s complete service treatment records, to include documents pertaining to his service in the Army Reserve from 2006 to 2008.  Document all requests for information as well as all responses in the claims file.
3.  After completion of the above, schedule the Veteran for an examination by an appropriate clinician to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnoseable skin disorders, to include chronic external otitis and eczema of the back, neck, and chest.  
In determining whether the Veteran has any diagnoseable skin disorders the VA examiner must address the private and VA medical treatment records documenting treatment for the skin conditions, as well as the Veteran’s competent statements regarding the skin symptoms he experiences.
The examiner must opine whether it is at least as likely as not that any diagnoseable skin condition, to include chronic external otitis and eczema, is related to an in-service injury, event, or disease, including whether the condition had its onset during active duty service. 
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A complete rationale must be provided for all opinions offered.
 
M.E. Larkin
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	P.S. McLeod