Citation Nr: 21067762 Decision Date: 11/05/21 Archive Date: 11/05/21 DOCKET NO. 19-04 632 DATE: November 5, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for a skin disorder, claimed as skin rash of the bilateral hands, to include eczema, is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from July 1985 to July 1989. This matter was last before the Board in April 2020, whereupon the claim of entitlement to service connection was denied. Following the Veteran's appeal, the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (Court) in April 2021 issued a Joint Motion for Remand (JMR) in which the Court vacated the Board's April 2020 decision and remanded the matter back to the Board. The Board is now further remanding this case in order to effectuate the Court's directives as outlined in the JMR. Specifically, the Court found fault with the Board's reliance on an October 2019 VA skin examination and opinion, wherein the VA examiner found that it was less likely than not that the Appellant's skin condition was incurred in or otherwise attributable to an in-service injury, event, or illness. In support thereof, the examiner noted the lack of documented treatment for or diagnosis of a skin condition in service, to especially include on the July 1989 separation examination as well as the corresponding July 1989 Report of Medical History. As highlighted by the Court, however, the October 2019 examiner did not discuss the potential nexus between the Veteran's skin condition and his purported exposure to hazardous chemicals in service. The Court has specified that the Board must further remand this matter in order to secure an opinion from a VA examiner that complies with the Board's own prior August 2019 remand instructions, that is, an opinion that directly addresses the likelihood that the Veteran has a skin condition that is attributable to his purported exposure to hazardous chemicals in service. Those remand instructions are copied in large part below. Stegall v. West, 11 Vet. App. 268 (1998). The matters are REMANDED for the following action: Provide the claims file to a qualified VA medical professional in order to secure an addendum opinion as to the likelihood that the Veteran's skin disorder is attributable to service. The entire claims file, including this REMAND, must be made available to the chosen examiner, who must indicate that they reviewed the claims file in full prior to issuing any opinion. After thoroughly reviewing the claim file, the chosen examiner must consider whether it is it at least as likely as not (an approximate balance of positive and negative evidence) that the Veteran has a skin disorder that had its onset during service or is otherwise related to active service. In setting forth this opinion, the examiner must evaluate the likelihood that any diagnosable skin disorder is attributable to the Veteran's purported exposure to potentially hazardous chemicals during service. Any such opinion must consider and comment upon as necessary personnel records which reflect that the Veteran worked with potentially hazardous chemicals and was prescribed gloves for some responsibilities. Furthermore, the chosen examiner must also consider and comment upon medical literature submitted by the Veteran in June 2021 suggesting a potential link between jet fuel exposure and the development of dermatitis. It is essential the examiner discusses the underlying rationale of all opinions expressed, preferably citing to relevant evidence in the file supporting conclusions and/or medical literature or authority. A. C. MACKENZIE Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board Christopher M. Collins, 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.