Citation Nr: 20031150
Decision Date: 05/04/20	Archive Date: 05/04/20

DOCKET NO. 18-29 030
DATE: May 4, 2020

REMANDED

Entitlement to service connection for a right wrist disability is remanded.

REASONS FOR REMAND

 The Veteran served on active duty from July 1990 to May 1994. 

This matter comes before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from a March 2017 rating decision of a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO).  

The Veteran claims service connection for a right wrist disability.  The service treatment records show that he sustained an injury to the wrist while wrestling in late January 1992.  X-ray studies were normal, but a bone scan showed a contusion.  His wrist was placed in a splint for several weeks. During March 1992 he underwent physical therapy to improve strength and range of motion of the wrist.  

In the December 2016 opinion, the examiner found that the Veteran’s right wrist disability was less likely than not related to a contusion injury he sustained in active service.  In this regard, the examiner noted that service treatment records did not show complaints of right wrist pain after March 1992, and the April 1994 separation examination was silent for a right wrist condition.  An October 1995 Army National Guard enlistment examination was also silent for wrist pain.  The examiner stated that the service treatment records did not demonstrate chronicity of right wrist pain.  

The December 2016 opinion is not sufficient for the Board to make an informed decision.  A medical opinion “must contain not only clear conclusions with supporting data, but also a reasoned medical explanation connecting the two.”  Nieves-Rodriguez v. Peake, 22 Vet. App. 295, 301 (2008).  In this case, the opinion does not explain why the absence of continued right wrist pain during service and at separation supports the conclusion that it is unlikely the Veteran’s current right wrist condition is related to the injury he sustained in service.  In other words, the examiner did not explain why “chronicity of right wrist pain” must be shown to establish that relationship.  Accordingly, a new opinion is warranted. 

The matters are REMANDED for the following action:

1. Add to the file any outstanding VA treatment records pertaining to the Veteran dated since May 2018.

2. Arrange for a new VA medical opinion as to whether it is at least as likely as not (50 percent probability or more) that the Veteran’s current right wrist condition is related to the injury he sustained in active service.  

If the opinion finds that a relationship between the Veteran’s current right wrist disability and the-inservice injury is unlikely, the examiner must explain why the absence of wright wrist symptoms or findings after March 1992 supports the conclusion reached.  

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The examiner is advised that post-service VA treatment records in the file do not mention wrist problems until October 2007, when the Veteran reported a two-week history of right wrist pain.  

The examiner must provide a complete explanation in support of the conclusion reached. 

 

 

P.M. DILORENZO

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans’ Appeals

Attorney for the Board	J. Rutkin, 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.