Citation Nr: 21062349
Decision Date: 10/07/21	Archive Date: 10/07/21

DOCKET NO. 17-40 287
DATE: October 7, 2021

REMANDED

Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for the service-connected dermatitis (previously rated as tinea versicolor) is remanded.

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Veteran had periods of active service from June 1977 to June 1981 and from February 1982 to January 1986.  This current matter comes before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from a rating decision issued in May 2014.  When the Veteran filed his substantive appeal in July 2017, he requested a hearing before the Board via live video conference.  However, he subsequently withdrew his hearing request in correspondence received in March 2021.

Increased Rating  Service-Connected Dermatitis

The Veteran seeks entitlement to an increased rating for his service-connected skin disorder.  There has not been a VA examination of this condition since April 2014, and that earlier examination does not adequately address the question of whether any of the medications prescribed for the Veteran's skin condition have systemic effects.  Consequently, this matter must be remanded for a current examination that addresses this question.

This matter is REMANDED for the following actions:

1. Schedule the Veteran for an examination by an appropriate clinician to determine the current severity of his service-connected dermatitis (previously rated as tinea versicolor).  The examiner should provide a full description of this disability and report all signs and symptoms necessary for evaluating the Veteran's disability under the rating criteria.  In particular, the examiner should discuss whether any of the medications prescribed for this condition during the appeal period are known to have systemic effects.

2. Then, and after completion of any other development deemed necessary, readjudicate the increased rating issue on appeal.  If the benefit sought is not granted to the Veteran's satisfaction, send the Veteran and his representative a Supplemental Statement of the Case and provide them an opportunity to respond.  If necessary, return the case to the Board for further appellate review. 

 

 

THERESA M. CATINO

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans' Appeals

Attorney for the Board	Steven H. Johnston, 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 This decision is not precedential and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.