Citation Nr: 21064583
Decision Date: 10/20/21	Archive Date: 10/20/21

DOCKET NO. 18-05 766
DATE: October 20, 2021

REMANDED

Service connection for a skin rash is remanded.

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Veteran had active service from February 1987 to May 1991.  This includes active service in Saudi Arabia from approximately October 1990 to April 1991.  Therefore, he is considered a Persian Gulf veteran. 38 C.F.R. § 3.317(e).

The Veteran seeks service connection for a full body skin rash.  He reports experiencing a burning sensation that manifests on different parts of his body.  Most commonly on his arms, but notes that there is nothing visual when this occurs.  Instead, he feels a burning sensation that is extremely itchy.  See March 17, 2021 Board Hearing Transcript.

An August 2017 VA examination did not diagnosis the Veteran with any skin condition.  

However, on a Persian Gulf Evaluation sheet, the Veteran reported skin conditions including skin eruptions and itching. See 1/16/2018 Medical Treatment Record  Government Facility.  At this point, the Veteran has not been fully evaluated to determine whether or not there is a diagnosis for his symptoms (to include either an undiagnosed illness or a medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness).  

Accordingly, on remand, the Veteran should be scheduled for an examination to determine the nature and etiology of his condition. 

The matters are REMANDED for the following action:

1. The Veteran's claims file does not appear to contain his complete service personnel records.  As they may contain information regarding the Veteran's full dates of service in Saudi Arabia, a remand is required to obtain them.

If these records are unavailable, a memo should be associated with the Veteran's file indicating as such.

2. Obtain the Veteran's VA treatment records from May 1991 to the Present.  The Veteran has provided the first page of a Persian Gulf Evaluation Sheet (VA Form 10-0114) which is incomplete.  See 1/16/2018 Medical Treatment Record  Government Facility. 

If these records are unavailable, a memo should be associated with the Veteran's file indicating as such.

3.  Schedule the Veteran for an examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed Gulf War related illness.  The examiner should answer the following questions:

a) Is it at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater probability) that the Veteran developed a skin disability manifested by full body burning and itching during his military service, or as a result of his military service?  Why or why not? 

b) Is it at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater probability) that the Veteran has either an undiagnosed illness or a medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness, manifested by full body burning and itching?  Why or why not? 

 

 

MATTHEW W. BLACKWELDER

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans' Appeals

Attorney for the Board	Jennifer M. Narvaez, 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.