Citation Nr: 18146090
Decision Date: 10/30/18	Archive Date: 10/30/18

DOCKET NO. 16-38 450
DATE:	October 30, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to a compensable rating for a right wrist scar is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty from March 1979 to March 1981.
Entitlement to a compensable rating for a right wrist scar is remanded.
The last VA examination for the Veteran's right wrist scar was provided over three years ago, in May 2015. The Veteran reported in his August 2016 VA Form 9 that he has pain in his right wrist. He also submitted VA treatment records showing complaints of right wrist pain at the site of his right wrist scar in October 2015. As he is service-connected for a right wrist scar, the Board finds that he may also be experiencing pain from his scar. Given the evidence of possible increased symptomatology, a new VA examination is warranted to determine the current severity of the service-connected right wrist scar. Snuffer v. Gober, 10 Vet. App. 400 (1997); Caffrey v. Brown, 6 Vet. App. 377 (1994); VAOPGCPREC 11-95 (1995).
The matter is REMANDED for the following action:

1. Updated treatment records should be obtained and added to the claims file/e-folder.
2. Following completion of the above, schedule the Veteran for an appropriate examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected right wrist scar. The examiner should review the claims folder and note such review in the examination report or an addendum. All indicated studies should be performed. 
The examiner should note the extent and all manifestations of the right wrist scar.
Any pain or instability in the right wrist scar should be reported.
The examiner should note if the right wrist scar is superficial and/or nonlinear.
If the right wrist scar is deep or causes limitation of motion, it should be measured and reported. 
The examiner should also note any other disabling effects or functional impairment resulting from the right wrist scar.
3. Thereafter, and after undertaking any additional development deemed necessary, readjudicate the claim. If the benefit sought on appeal remains denied, in whole or in part, the Veteran and his representative must be provided with a supplemental statement of the case and be afforded a reasonable opportunity to respond. The case should then be returned to the Board for further appellate review, if otherwise in order.
The Veteran has the right to submit additional evidence and argument on the matter the Board has remanded. Kutscherousky v. West, 12 Vet. App. 369 (1999).
This claim must be afforded expeditious treatment. The law requires that all claims that are remanded by the Board of Veterans’ Appeals or by the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims for additional development or other appropriate action must be handled in an expeditious manner. 38 U.S.C. §§ 5109B, 7112 (West 2012).
 
K. A. KENNERLY
Acting Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	F. Yankey, Counsel