Citation Nr: 21074004 Decision Date: 12/13/21 Archive Date: 12/13/21 DOCKET NO. 18-19 087A DATE: December 13, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to an initial compensable disability rating for eczema is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty in the United States Navy from June 1989 to May 1992. During his period of service, he earned the National Defense Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with Bronze Star, United Stated Coast Guard Special Operations Medal, Nav Until Commendation, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Southwest Asia Service Medal with two Bronze Stars, and Kuwaiti Liberation Medal. The Veteran testified during a virtual hearing before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge (VLJ) in November 2021. This remand is the product of the One-Touch Program, produced prior to the association of a transcript with the claims file. The Veteran is not prejudiced by this action as no final or adverse action is being taken at this time. Entitlement to an increased rating for eczema The Veteran contends that his eczema is worse than reflected by the March 2015 examination report of record and has worsened since that time. Specifically, the Veteran contends that a greater percentage of his body is affected by eczema, which is treated with a topical corticosteroid. He also contends that he experiences flare-ups every three weeks to a month. Given the passage of time and the allegation that the Veteran's disability is worse than when previously rated, a new VA examination is necessary. See Green v. Derwinski, 1 Vet. App. 121 (1991) (VA has a duty to conduct a thorough and contemporaneous examination of the Veteran in an increased rating claim); Schafrath v. Derwinski, 1 Vet. App. 589 (1991); see also Snuffer v. Gober, 10 Vet. App. 400, 403 (1997) (affording the Veteran a new examination after a two-year period between the last VA examination and the Veteran's contention that the pertinent disability had increased in severity). The matter is REMANDED for the following action: Schedule the Veteran for a VA examination with the appropriate examiner to determine the current severity and manifestations of his service-connected eczema. The claims file, including a copy of this remand, must be made available to the examiner for review in connection with the examination. The examination report must reflect that such a review was conducted. When assessing the severity of the skin disability, the examiner must: (a.) Estimate, as accurately as possible, the percentage of the total body affected, and the percentage of the exposed areas affected. If the examination does not take place during a flare, ask the Veteran to identify the extend of the body area affected during a flare. (b.) State whether the Veteran requires systemic therapy including, but not limited to, corticosteroids, phototherapy, retinoids, biologics, photochemotherapy, psoralen with long-wave ultraviolet-A light (PUVA), or other immunosuppressive drugs required over the past 12-month period. A. S. CARACCIOLO Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board Tracy O. Joseph, 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.