Citation Nr: 18142077
Decision Date: 10/12/18	Archive Date: 10/12/18

DOCKET NO. 15-14 523A
DATE:	October 12, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for residuals of laceration of the right (major) hand with severance of extensor tendons 3 and 4, status post repair, is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran had active service from September 1960 to September 1963. He had additional service from November 1963 to July 1972 under other than honorable conditions.
In August 2018, the Veteran testified before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge. The hearing transcript has been associated with the claims file.
1. Entitlement to an increased rating is remanded.
The Board finds the record would benefit if a VA “Hand and Fingers” examination were conducted to determine the current severity of the status-post repair of laceration of the right hand with severance of extensor tendons 3 and 4.  
The matter is REMANDED for the following action:
1. Afford the Veteran a VA “Hand and Finger” examination by an examiner with sufficient expertise to fully assess the Veteran’s service-connected residuals of laceration.  All pertinent evidence of record should be made available to and reviewed by the examiner.  Any indicated studies should be performed.  If the examiner is unable to conduct the required testing or concludes any required testing is not necessary, he or she must explain why that is so. The examiner must provide all information required for rating purposes.  
2. Thereafter, readjudicate the Veteran’s claim.  If the benefit sought on appeal remains denied, the Veteran should be provided a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC).  The SSOC must contain notice of all relevant actions taken on the claim for benefits, to include a summary of the evidence and applicable law and regulations considered pertinent to the issue currently on appeal.  An appropriate period of time should be allowed for response. 
 
T. REYNOLDS
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	N. Snyder, counsel