Citation Nr: 20004886 Decision Date: 01/23/20 Archive Date: 01/21/20 DOCKET NO. 16-26 071 DATE: January 23, 2020 REMANDED 1. Entitlement to an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic right wrist pain is remanded. 2. Entitlement to an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for thoracic and lumbosacral spine strain is remanded. 3. Entitlement to an increased rating in excess of 10 percent patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee is remanded. 4. Entitlement to an increased rating in excess of 10 percent patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee is remanded. 5. Entitlement to an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of open reduction and internal fixation of fibula fracture, right ankle is remanded. 6. Entitlement to service connection for a left hand disability is remanded. 7. Entitlement to service connection for a right hand disability is remanded. 8. Entitlement to service connection for a left wrist disability, to include as secondary to service-connected chronic right wrist pain is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty in the United States Navy from January 2003 to September 2006. The Veteran testified at a video conference hearing before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge in August 2019. A transcript of the hearing was prepared and associated with the claims file. 1. Entitlement to an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic right wrist pain is remanded. 2. Entitlement to an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for thoracic and lumbosacral spine strain is remanded. 3. Entitlement to an increased rating in excess of 10 percent patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee is remanded. 4. Entitlement to an increased rating in excess of 10 percent patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee is remanded. 5. Entitlement to an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of open reduction and internal fixation of fibula fracture, right ankle is remanded. At the August 2019 Board hearing, the Veteran identified VA and private treatment records that relate to each of her disabilities on appeal which are not a part of the record. Accordingly these issues must be remanded to obtain these records and associate them with the record. Additionally, at the August 2019 Board hearing, the Veteran asserted that the service-connected chronic right wrist pain, thoracic and lumbosacral spine strain, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the bilateral knees, and residuals of open reduction and internal fixation of fibula fracture for the right ankle disabilities had increased in severity since the Veteran was last examined by VA. The Veteran should be provided an opportunity to report for VA examinations to ascertain the current severity and manifestations of these disabilities. 6. Entitlement to service connection for a left hand disability is remanded. 7. Entitlement to service connection for a right hand disability is remanded. 8. Entitlement to service connection for a left wrist disability, to include as secondary to service-connected chronic right wrist pain is remanded. At the August 2019 Board hearing, the Veteran identified VA and private treatment records that relate to the issues of entitlement to service connection for a left hand disability, entitlement to service connection for a right hand disability, and entitlement to service connection for a left wrist disability, which are not a part of the record. Accordingly, these issues must be remanded to obtain these records and associate them with the Veteran’s claims file. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Obtain the Veteran’s VA treatment records for the period from January 2019 to the present. The Veteran has stated that she receives treatment at the Fayetteville VA Medical Center. 2. Ask the Veteran to complete a VA Form 21-4142 for each of the following facilities: Fayetteville Orthopedic, Pain Management with Dr. Kishba, Hopewell Family Orthopedic, Cape Fear Valley Hospital. Make two requests for the authorized records from these facilities, unless it is clear after the first request that a second request would be futile. Schedule the Veteran for an examination by an appropriate clinician to determine the current severity of her service-connected chronic right wrist pain, thoracic and lumbosacral spine strain, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the bilateral knees, and residuals of open reduction and internal fixation of fibula fracture for the right ankle disabilities. A. P. SIMPSON Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board R. Husain, Associate 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.