Citation Nr: 18160282
Decision Date: 12/26/18	Archive Date: 12/26/18

DOCKET NO. 17-01 215
DATE:	December 26, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to an increased rating higher than 30 percent for tinea versicolor (chest, back, arms, and legs), to include pseudofolliculitis barbae is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
1. Entitlement to an increased rating higher than 30 percent for tinea versicolor (chest, back, arms, and legs), to include pseudofolliculitis barbae is remanded.
In a December 2016 statement, the Veteran asserted that the his skin disability had worsened and he had scheduled dermatology appointments at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Martinez Outpatient Clinic. As the Veteran has stated that his skin disability has increased in severity since the Veteran was last examined by VA in June 2016, he should be provided an opportunity to report for a VA examination to ascertain the current severity and manifestations of his tinea versicolor (chest, back, arms, and legs), to include pseudofolliculitis barbae.
The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
1. Obtain the Veteran’s VA treatment records for the period from September 2017 to present. 
2. Schedule the Veteran for an examination by an appropriate clinician to determine the current severity of his service-connected tinea versicolor (chest, back, arms, and legs), to include pseudofolliculitis barbae.  The examiner should provide a full description of the disability and report all signs and symptoms necessary for evaluating the Veteran’s disability under the rating criteria.  The examiner must attempt to elicit information regarding the severity, frequency, and duration of any flare-ups, and the degree of functional loss during flare-ups.  To the extent possible, the examiner should identify any symptoms and functional impairments due to tinea versicolor (chest, back, arms, and legs), to include pseudofolliculitis barbae alone and discuss the effect of the Veteran’s tinea versicolor (chest, back, arms, and legs), to include pseudofolliculitis barbae on any occupational functioning and activities of daily living. 






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If it is not possible to provide an opinion regarding flare-ups, symptoms, or functional impairment without speculation, the examiner must state whether the need to speculate is due to a deficiency in the state of general medical knowledge (no one could respond given medical science and the known facts), a deficiency in the record (additional facts are required), or the examiner (does not have the knowledge or training).
 
S. L. Kennedy
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	Sarah B. Richmond