Citation Nr: 21023269 Decision Date: 04/20/21 Archive Date: 04/20/21 DOCKET NO. 18-27 815 DATE: April 20, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for a bilateral leg rash is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from May 1964 to May 1967. This case is before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from a January 2018 rating decision from a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). In March 2021, the Veteran testified at a Board virtual hearing. The transcript of the hearing has been associated with the record. 1. Bilateral leg rash. The Veteran contends that he has had a bilateral leg rash, which has come and gone since service. He believes the rash is due to exposure to aircraft chemicals during service through his duties as an aircraft metal worker and airplane repairman. Accordingly, a VA examination is necessary to determine whether the Veteran has a disability for VA purposes. If so, whether any disability found is a result of in-service exposure to aircraft chemicals. VA is obliged to provide an examination or obtain a medical opinion in a claim for service connection when the record contains competent evidence that the claimant has a current disability or persistent or recurrent symptoms of a disability, the record indicates that the disability or symptoms of a disability may be associated with active service, and the record does not contain sufficient information to make a decision on the claim. 38 U.S.C. § 5103A(d); McLendon v. Nicholson, 20 Vet. App. 79, 83 (2006) (stating that “[t]his is a low threshold” for meeting the requirement to trigger VA’s duty to assist in providing an examination). 2. An acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran asserts service connection for depression due to in-service fear of going to Vietnam and survivor’s guilt for not being sent to Vietnam when member of his family and training class were. He should be afforded an examination to determine whether he has a current psychiatric disorder and the etiology of any diagnosed psychiatric disorders. See McLendon, 20 Vet. App. at 83. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Obtain an opinion to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed bilateral leg rash. The necessity of an in-person examination is left to the examiner’s discretion in light of the global COVID-19 pandemic. If the Veteran has a current diagnosis of a bilateral leg rash, the examiner should provide an opinion as to its etiology and address whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater probability) that a current bilateral leg rash manifested during or is otherwise related to the Veteran’s period of active service, including his exposure to aircraft chemicals. A rationale should be provided for any opinion offered. 2. Obtain an opinion as to the nature and etiology of any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders. The necessity of an in-person examination is left to the examiner’s discretion in light of the global COVID-19 pandemic. The examiner is to address the following: (a.) Identify all acquired psychiatric disorders that are currently present. If so, the examiner must identify the stressor(s) on which the diagnosis is based. (b.) For any diagnosed psychiatric disorder, is it at least as likely as not (50 percent or greater probability) that the disorder manifested during or is otherwise related to the Veteran’s period of active service? A rationale should be provided for any opinion offered. R. FEINBERG Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board S. Costa, 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.