Citation Nr: 18155483
Decision Date: 12/04/18	Archive Date: 12/04/18

DOCKET NO. 15-22 839
DATE:	December 4, 2018
REMANDED
Entitlement to an initial compensable disability rating for limitation of flexion of the left forearm is remanded.
Entitlement to an initial compensable disability rating for scars of the left forearm is remanded.
REASONS FOR REMAND
The Veteran served on active duty from April 1988 to March 2011.
This appeal comes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) from an April 2013 rating decision issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO), in Montgomery, Alabama.
The Veteran testified before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge during a November 27, 2018 video conference hearing. The transcript from the hearing has not yet been associated with the file, as the case is being remanded under the Board’s “One Touch” program. The hearing transcript will still be processed and associated with the claims file in the ordinary course of business.

1. Entitlement to an initial compensable disability rating for limitation of flexion of the left forearm is remanded.
2. Entitlement to an initial compensable disability rating for scars of the left forearm is remanded.
The Veteran was last afforded a VA examination for his service-connected left forearm disabilities in January 2012. The examination notes a right closed forearm fracture while also noting no conditions of the left forearm. However, in another section of the disability benefits questionnaire, the examiner notes that the Veteran has a left forearm surgery, not a right forearm surgery. Given the inaccuracies of this examination, the Board finds that the examination is inadequate.
At his November 2018 hearing, the Veteran showed the undersigned his left forearm muscles which visibly appeared to assmetric from his right forearm. The Board finds that the evidence presented raises the possibility of involvement of Muscle Group VII through IX. He also testified that his forearm scars had occasional periods of pain and numbness.  The Board finds that examination is necessary to evaluate these aspects of disability.
The matters are REMANDED for the following action:
1. Obtain outstanding VA and private treatment records and associate with the claims file.
2. After completing the development above, afford the Veteran an appropriate VA examination to determine the nature and severity of his service-connected left forearm disability.
The examiner is asked to specifically review the surgical history for the left forearm fracture and identify all of the specific muscle group(s) involved, any residual nerve impairment and all characteristics of the surgical scars. The examiner must specifically identify which functional abilities are affected.
3. After completing the above, and any other development as may be indicated, the AOJ should readjudicate the claims based on the entirety of the evidence. If the claims remain denied, the Veteran and his representative should be issued a supplemental statement of the case. An appropriate period of time should be allowed for response.
 
T. MAINELLI
Veterans Law Judge
Board of Veterans’ Appeals
ATTORNEY FOR THE BOARD	Michael J. O'Connor