Citation Nr: 18153333
Decision Date: 11/27/18	Archive Date: 11/27/18

DOCKET NO. 15-10 307A
DATE:	November 27, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to an annual clothing allowance for 2014 is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran had active military service from January 1974 to January 1996.
This case comes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from an October 2014 administrative decision issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Clothing allowance is remanded
The Veteran’s VA treatment records show that he was prescribed a medicated lotion for a service-connected disability.
The Veteran asserts that his medicated lotion causes staining and irreparable damage to his clothing.  The Veteran is competent to describe the effect of the medication on his clothing, inasmuch as such is readily observable by a lay person.  Buchanan v. Nicholson, 451 F.3d 1331, 1337 (Fed. Cir. 2006).
As best the Board can discern, the agency of original jurisdiction denied the claim on the basis that the Veteran does not use a prescribed medicated lotion for a service-connected skin disability.  However, the Board notes that the Veteran is service-connected for diabetes.  The Veteran has consistently asserted that he was prescribed medicated lotion for dry skin due to his service-connected diabetes.  Further, there is an April 2015 letter from the Veteran’s VA clinic doctor stating that the Veteran is prescribed a medicated lotion for a service-connected disability.
The Board finds that the reasons and bases provided for the basis of the denial were insufficient.  In this regard, the decisionmaker failed to adequately consider the Veteran’s contentions and obtain any medical evidence necessary in an effort to assist the Veteran in substantiating his appeal.
Therefore, the Board finds that a medical opinion should be obtained to determine whether the Veteran has irreparable damage on his clothing as a result of a prescribed medication used to treat a service-connected disability.
The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
1. Schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine whether medication used to treat his service-connected disability causes irreparable damage to his outer garments.  The claims file must be made available to, and reviewed by the examiner.
The examiner should identify any medication used to treat service-connected disabilities, to include whether the Veteran uses medicated lotion prescribed by a physician for a skin condition, which is due to his service connected diabetes.  The examiner should specifically address the April 2015 letter from the Veteran’s VA clinic physician noting that the Veteran has been prescribed a medicated lotion for a service-connected condition.  The examiner must consider the Veteran’s lay statements.
A rationale for all opinions expressed must be provided.
2. Then, readjudicate the issue on appeal.  If the decision is adverse to the Veteran, issue a supplemental statement of the case and allow appropriate time for response.  Then, return the case to the Board.
 
Kristin Haddock
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	I. Cannaday, Associate Counsel