Citation Nr: 21061692 Decision Date: 10/05/21 Archive Date: 10/05/21 DOCKET NO. 17-18 069 DATE: October 5, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for benign synovioma of the flexor tendon sheath of the right long finger, status post amputation ("right long finger"), is remanded. Entitlement to a compensable rating for residual surgical scar of amputated metacarpal and finger right long finger is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from June 1974 to June 1976. These issues come before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal of a May 2015 rating decision issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). This case was remanded in March 2019 for further development; it has since been re-assigned to the undersigned. 1. Entitlement to a rating in excess of 20 percent for right long finger is remanded. 2. Entitlement to a compensable rating for residual surgical scar of amputated metacarpal and finger right long finger is remanded. The record reflects that the Veteran is in receipt of Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits. Because his SSA records may reasonably contain information relating to the issues on appeal, remand is required to obtain these SSA records. See Golz v. Shinseki, 590 F.3d 1317, 1323 (Fed. Cir. 2010). Additionally, the Veteran's representative has contended that the right long finger amputation limits his ability "to perform personal hygiene, dress himself[,] and feed himself" and that such more nearly approximates the criteria for the loss of use of the right hand due to "inability to grasp and manipulative during dressing, eating[,] and personal hygiene." See September 2020 appellate brief. The May 2015 VA examination shows decreased strength in all fingers of the right hand, with no pain noted. The Veteran was unable to perform duties requiring repetitive grasping, pushing, pulling, or lifting with his right hand. A February 2017 VA treatment record includes a diagnosis of ulnar neuropathy. He underwent a right-hand surgery for cubital tunnel release with residual numbness in digits three, four, and five. In his April 2017 VA Form 9, substantive appeal, he stated that his whole hand is affected and that he has constant pain. An August 2019 VA treatment record notes that his right-hand pain is most likely secondary to chronic degenerative changes/arthritis but that there may be a component of carpal tunnel. Based on the foregoing, the Board finds it necessary for a medical examination to determine whether any loss of use of the right hand is due solely to the Veteran's service-connected disability or other nonservice-connected disabilities. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Request from the SSA relevant records, including determinations and medical records, regarding any claim for disability benefits. All attempts to fulfill this development should be documented in the claim file. If the records are unavailable, it should so be noted on the record and the reason for unavailability should be provided. 2. After the above development is completed, arrange for a VA examination (or telehealth interview) to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected right long finger. The examiner should provide a full description of the disability and report all signs and symptoms necessary for evaluating the Veteran's disability under the rating criteria. Specifically, is it possible to distinguish the functional limitations resulting from the Veteran's service-connected right long finger disability and his other nonservice connected right hand disabilities (e.g., ulnar neuropathy, carpal tunnel)? If so, please identify the functional limitations resulting from each and whether/how any pain related to the service-connected right long finger affects use. 3. If upon completion of the above action the issues remain denied, the case should be returned to the Board after compliance with appellate procedures. E. I. VELEZ Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board T. Matta, 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.