Citation Nr: 21000690 Decision Date: 01/06/21 Archive Date: 01/06/21 DOCKET NO. 14-08 487 DATE: January 6, 2021 REMANDED A rating higher than 30 percent for eczema, from August 10, 2009 to February 9, 2010, is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from March 1980 to July 2002. In July 2020, the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) remanded the appeal for a VA medical opinion on the severity of his service-connected eczema between August 10, 2009 and February 9, 2010. Specifically, the Board asked the examiner to provide an opinion on whether the Veteran’s use of Clobetasol and Triamcinolone during this period constituted “systemic therapy” under the pre-August 2018 version of Diagnostic Code 7806. Remand at 4-6. On review, the Board finds that another remand is required. The August 2020 examiner’s opinion—which only discusses treatment from 2011 to the present—is not responsive to the Board’s instructions. As explained in the remand, the Veteran is already in receipt of the maximum schedular rating for eczema (60 percent) from February 9, 2010, and this current period is no longer on appeal. The 2020 examiner did not comment on the relevant August 2009-February 2010 time period, possibly due to a typographic error in the remand instructions. In any event, remand for an addendum opinion is necessary to ensure substantial compliance with the Board’s previous instructions. Stegall v. West, 11 Vet. App. 268, 271 (1998). Additionally, the Board notes that the Veteran submitted a July 2020 statement in support of his claim, in which he identified various medical articles for the examiner’s consideration. On remand, the examiner should review these materials and comment accordingly. The Board by this remand makes no determination, expressed or implied, concerning the credibility of any statements on file. The matter is REMANDED for the following action: 1. Obtain an addendum medical opinion on the nature of the Veteran’s eczema treatment from August 10, 2009 to February 9, 2010. After reviewing the claims file, including this remand, the examiner should discuss whether the Veteran’s use of topical steroids, including Clobetasol and Triamcinolone, during this period (August 10, 2009 to February 9, 2010) constituted “constant or near-constant systemic therapy” within the meaning of Diagnostic Code 7806. The examiner is advised that in this context systemic therapy means “treatment pertaining to or affecting the body as a whole,” whereas topical therapy means “treatment pertaining to a particular surface area, as a topical anti-infective applied to a certain area of the skin and affecting only the area to which it is applied.” See Johnson v. Shulkin, 862 F.3d 1351, 1355 (Fed. Cir. 2017). The examiner’s opinion must reflect consideration of the Veteran’s medical records, prior VA examinations, and lay statements, including the July 2020 statement in support of claim and the various medical articles identified therein. 2. Review the medical opinion above to ensure substantial compliance with the Board’s directives. Take any necessary corrective action. 3. Readjudicate the Veteran’s claim. If it remains denied, issue a supplemental statement of the case and allow the Veteran and his representative the opportunity to respond. Then return to the Board for further appellate review. KELLI A. KORDICH Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board D.Z. Wall, 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.