Citation Nr: 21076989 Decision Date: 12/28/21 Archive Date: 12/28/21 DOCKET NO. 16-42 925 DATE: December 28, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for a low back disability is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for a right ankle disability is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for a left ankle disability is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for a right wrist/hand disability, to include carpal tunnel syndrome is remanded. Entitlement to service connection for a left wrist/hand disability, to include carpal tunnel syndrome is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran, who is the appellant in this case, had service from January 1978 to October 1978. In February 2020, the Veteran testified at a Board hearing before the undersigned Veterans Law Judge (VLJ); a transcript of the hearing is associated with the claims file. The Board previously considered this appeal in April 2021, and remanded these issues for additional development. After the development was completed, the case returned to the Board for further appellate review. 1. Entitlement to service connection for a low back disability is remanded. 2. Entitlement to service connection for a right ankle disability is remanded. 3. Entitlement to service connection for a left ankle disability is remanded. 4. Entitlement to service connection for a right wrist/hand disability, to include carpal tunnel syndrome is remanded. 5. Entitlement to service connection for a left wrist/hand disability, to include carpal tunnel syndrome is remanded. The Veteran contends that his low back, bilateral ankles, and bilateral wrists/hand disabilities are related to service, or in the alternative, a service-connected disability. The Board cannot make a fully-informed decision on these issues because no VA examiner has opined whether they are related to service. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Schedule the Veteran for a VA examination for his low back disability. The examiner must review the claims file. If a diagnosis cannot be provided but the Veteran's condition manifests in symptoms that cause functional impairment, then the examiner should consider them a "disability" for the purpose of providing the requested opinion(s) below. The examiner is asked to provide a response to the following: Is the disability at least as likely as not related to service, including an injury after jumping out a hospital window? Is it at least as likely as not that the disability (1) began during active service, (2) manifested within one-year after discharge from service, or (3) was noted during service with continuity of the same symptomatology since service? Provide a rationale to support the opinion(s). In providing the requested opinion, consider the Veteran's description of his in-service injury and symptoms as well as his post-service symptoms. 2. Schedule the Veteran for a VA examination for his left and right ankle disability. The examiner must review the claims file. If a diagnosis cannot be provided but the Veteran's condition manifests in symptoms that cause functional impairment, then the examiner should consider them a "disability" for the purpose of providing the requested opinion(s) below. The examiner is asked to provide a response to the following: Is the disability at least as likely as not related to service, including an injury after jumping out a hospital window? Is it at least as likely as not that the disability (1) began during active service, (2) manifested within one-year after discharge from service, or (3) was noted during service with continuity of the same symptomatology since service? Provide a rationale to support the opinion(s). In providing the requested opinion, consider the Veteran's description of his in-service injury and symptoms as well as his post-service symptoms. 3. Schedule the Veteran for a VA examination for his left and right wrist/hand disability. The examiner must review the claims file. If a diagnosis cannot be provided but the Veteran's condition manifests in symptoms that cause functional impairment, then the examiner should consider them a "disability" for the purpose of providing the requested opinion(s) below. The examiner is asked to provide a response to the following: Is the disability at least as likely as not related to service, including an injury after jumping out a hospital window and/or using a razor to cut his wrists? Is it at least as likely as not that the disability (1) began during active service, (2) manifested within one-year after discharge from service, or (3) was noted during service with continuity of the same symptomatology since service? Provide a rationale to support the opinion(s). (Continued on the next page) In providing the requested opinion, consider the Veteran's description of his in-service injury and symptoms as well as his post-service symptoms. H. SEESEL Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board R. Connally, 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.