Citation Nr: 20028107 Decision Date: 04/22/20 Archive Date: 04/22/20 DOCKET NO. 20-10 542 DATE: April 22, 2020 REMANDED Entitlement to an initial compensable rating for squamous cell carcinoma is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from August 1968 to August 1970. This matter comes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal of a December 2018 rating decision by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO) in Detroit, Michigan. Entitlement to an initial compensable rating for squamous cell carcinoma is remanded. The Veteran and his attorney affirm that the Veteran is entitled to a compensable disability rating for his service-connected squamosus cell carcinoma. Regrettably, a remand is necessary for further evidentiary development of the Veteran's increased rating claim on appeal. A new examination is required due to alleged worsening symptomatology and/or n inadequate consideration of his symptoms at the time of previous VA examination in December 2018. Specifically, accompanying the Veteran’s Form 9 Appeal to the Board, the Veteran filed a lay statement alleging that his symptoms due to chemotherapy treatment have not been adequately addressed. A remand is required to afford the Veteran with a contemporaneous VA examination to assess the current severity of this service-connected disability. Snuffer v. Gober, 10 Vet. App. 400 (1997); Green v. Derwinski, 1 Vet. App. 121 (1991). The matter is REMANDED for the following action: The Veteran must be afforded a VA examination by an examiner with appropriate expertise to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected squamosus cell carcinoma, to include symptomology caused by treatment for the disability. Any and all studies, tests, and evaluations that are deemed necessary should be performed. The claims folder, including a copy of this remand, should be reviewed by the examiner. The examination report should note review of these records, the Veteran’s lay statements, prior VA examinations, and the VA and private treatment records. Michael J. Skaltsounis Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board A. R. Montalvo, Associate Counsel The Board’s decision in this case is binding only with respect to the instant matter decided. This decision is not precedential and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.