Citation Nr: 21014006 Decision Date: 03/11/21 Archive Date: 03/11/21 DOCKET NO. 15-01 135 DATE: March 11, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to an initial compensable rating for dermatitis is remanded. Entitlement to a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to November 20, 2019 is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty in the United States Army from June 2001 to July 2004. In February 2018, the Veteran testified at a Board hearing. The transcript is of record. In December 2019, the Board remanded the case for further development, which has not been completed. Stegall v. West, 11 Vet. App. 268, 271 (1998). 1. Entitlement to an initial compensable rating for dermatitis The Board regrets the additional delay; however, a remand is necessary to ensure compliance with the Board’s prior remand instructions and to ensure that due process is met. Id. In December 2019 the Board remanded this case for a VA examination to address the Veteran’s dermatitis flare-ups. A VA examination was conducted in September 2020; however, the examiner failed to comply with the Board’s directive to consider and address the Veteran’s dermatitis flare-ups. As such, a remand is necessary for another VA examination. 2. TDIU The Veteran's entitlement to a TDIU is inextricably intertwined with the increased rating claim on appeal. Therefore, the Board finds that the claim for a TDIU must be remanded as well. See Harris v. Derwinski, 1 Vet. App. 180 (1991) (issues are inextricably intertwined when a decision on one issue would have a significant impact on another issue). The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Obtain updated VA and/or private treatment records. If such records are unavailable, the Veteran’s claim file must be clearly documented to that effect and the Veteran notified in accordance with 38 C.F.R. § 3.159(e). 2. Schedule the Veteran for a VA examination by an appropriate medical professional to determine the current extent and severity of symptoms associated with the service-connected atopic dermatitis. The entire claims file, to include all electronic files, must be reviewed by the examiner. The examination should be conducted during a flare-up or active phase of the skin condition, if possible, in coordination with the Veteran. If the examination is not conducted during a flare-up, the examiner must attempt to ascertain information, such as frequency, duration, characteristics, severity, and functional loss, regarding any flare-ups by alternative means such as the Veteran’s statements, to include her testimony regarding flare-ups that occur every couple weeks, available medical records, and other relevant sources. The examiner must also provide an assessment of the Veteran's functional limitations due to the service-connected atopic dermatitis, including how it may relate to her ability to function in a work setting and to perform work tasks. The examiner should refrain from commenting on whether the Veteran is employable. G. A. WASIK Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board S. A. Prinsen 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.