Citation Nr: 18158042
Decision Date: 12/14/18	Archive Date: 12/14/18

DOCKET NO. 14-21 670
DATE:	December 14, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for multiple skin cancers, to include scars due to skin cancers, is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty from July 1960 to January 1961, December 1961 to August 1962, February 1967 to September 1994.  
The Board remanded this case in June 2016 for examination.  Unfortunately, the Board finds that further evidentiary development is necessary before the claim can be adjudicated.
The Veteran underwent VA examinations in August 2013, March 2014, and January 2017.  Those examinations showed an increasing number of scars.  During the August 2013 examination, there were two scars, during the March 2014 examination, there five scars on the Veteran’s head, and during the January 2017 examination, there were four scars on the Veteran’s head.  As the March 2014 and January 2017 examinations noted there were too many scars to count on the Veteran’s upper extremities, the Board finds that adjudication requires an accurate count of the scars and their measurements.  Since the January 2017 examination, the Veteran submitted new private treatment records that showed additional surgeries and scars related to the service-connected disability.  The Board finds a new examination is required to assess the current severity of the Veteran’s scars.
The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
1. Obtain all pertinent VA and private medical records not yet associated with the appellate record, specifically treatment records from Southwest Skin & Cancer, and associate them with the record.  
2. Schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the current level of severity of scars due to skin cancer excisions.  The examiner must review the claims file and must note that review in the report.  Any indicated studies should be performed.  The examiner must provide all information required for rating purposes, including counting and measuring the scars on the head, trunk, and extremities, and whether the scars are tender, painful, unstable or otherwise symptomatic.  Unretouched color photographs of the affected areas should be included in the examination report.  The examiner should provide a statement as to the area, in square inches or square centimeters, of the scars.  The examiner should also opine whether there any scars that are deep, unstable, or painful.  The examiner should also state whether or not there is an active malignant cancerous process.  The examiner should provide a complete rationale for all opinions expressed and conclusions reached.
 
Harvey P. Roberts
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	C. Kass, Associate Counsel