Citation Nr: 21063841 Decision Date: 10/18/21 Archive Date: 10/18/21 DOCKET NO. 13-06 759 DATE: October 18, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to an initial evaluation higher than 10 percent for service-connected left thumb injury with limitation of motion is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from June 2004 to January 2005; January 2006 to June 2007; August 2009 to January 2011; April 2013 to April 2014; and October 2014 to May 2018. These matters initially came to the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from a July 2011 rating decision of a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO). A July 2020 Board decision denied entitlement to an evaluation higher than 10 percent for left thumb limitation of motion. The Veteran appealed that denial to the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (the Court). In a May 2021 Order, the Court granted the parties' Joint Motion for Remand and vacated and remanded that part of the Board decision that denied an evaluation higher than 10 percent for the left thumb limitation of motion. The matter has been returned to the Board for action consistent with the parties' Joint Motion and the Court's Order. This issue is remanded to secure an adequate VA examination that complies with the Board's prior remand directives. In increased evaluation claims, VA examinations for musculoskeletal conditions must include joint testing for pain on both active and passive motion, in weight-bearing and nonweight-bearing and, if possible, with range of motion measurements of the opposite undamaged joint. 38 C.F.R. § 4.59; Correia v. McDonald, 28 Vet. App. 158 (2016). Here, the parties agreed that a June 2019 VA examination report was inadequate because the examiner did not include all findings required under Correia. Thus, remand for an adequate medical examination is required. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: After any additional records are associated with the claims file, provide the Veteran with an appropriate examination to determine the severity of the service-connected left thumb limitation of motion. The entire claims file must be made available to and be reviewed by the examiner. Any indicated tests and studies must be accomplished and all clinical findings must be reported in detail and correlated to a specific diagnosis. The examiner must utilize the appropriate Disability Benefits Questionnaire. The examiner is asked to indicate the point during range of motion testing that motion is limited by pain. The examiner must test the range of motion and pain of the left thumb in active motion, passive motion, weight-bearing, and non-weight-bearing. The examiner must also conduct the same testing on the right thumb, if possible. If the examiner is unable to conduct the required testing or concludes that the required testing is not necessary, he or she should clearly explain why that is so. The examiner should additionally document any additional limitation of motion due to flare-ups, repeated use, etc., if applicable, and provide an estimate of any additional functional loss as appropriate. An explanation for all opinions expressed must be provided. MARTIN PETERS Acting Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board C. Smith, 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.