Citation Nr: 21013220 Decision Date: 03/09/21 Archive Date: 03/09/21 DOCKET NO. 16-31 047 DATE: March 9, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for right arm carpal tunnel syndrome secondary to service-connected status post fracture of the right forearm is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty in the United States Army from January 1969 to December 1970. This matter originally came before the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (Board) on appeal from a September 2012 rating decision by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office (RO) in Providence, Rhode Island. The undersigned conducted a videoconference hearing with the Veteran in August 2019. A transcript of the hearing is in the claims file. The Board remanded this case in January 2020 to obtain an addendum opinion from a neurologist (M.D.) Entitlement to service connection for right arm carpal tunnel syndrome secondary to service-connected status post fracture of the right forearm is remanded. Once VA has provided a VA examination, it is required to provide an adequate one, regardless of whether it was legally obligated to provide an examination in the first place. Barr v. Nicholson, 21 Vet. App. 303 (2007). A VA examiner must consider the Veteran’s lay statements regarding the incurrence of a disorder, and his statements regarding the continuity of symptomatology. Dalton v. Nicholson, 21 Vet. App. 23, 39-40. A Veteran is competent to report symptoms that are capable of lay witness observation. See Layno v. Brown, 6 Vet. App. 465, 469 (1994). The January 2020 VA examination evaluated the Veteran’s right arm, and discussed both his carpal tunnel syndrome associated with tingling fingertips, and his paresthesia around the surgical scar. The examiner determined these conditions are not related, and therefore opined that the Veteran’s carpal tunnel syndrome is less likely than not caused by his status post fracture of the right forearm. The examiner also opined that the Veteran’s carpal tunnel syndrome is less likely than not aggravated by his status post fracture of the right forearm, because the nerves in the forearm are not related to the nerves in the wrist. In September 2020 correspondence, the Veteran stated his doctors at Fort Devens Hospital in 1969/1970 told him his fractured lower portion of the radius damaged his right wrist. He does not know what procedures were done to address his wrist damage other than keeping his wrist immobile for about one year. Additionally, he stated his surgeon told him he would likely have muscle and nerve issues as he ages. In light of additional relevant evidence since the VA opinion, the Board will obtain an addendum opinion. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Obtain an addendum opinion from the January 2020 VA examiner or another neurologist (M.D.) if unavailable. Please read the Veteran’s September 2020 letter. In light of the Veteran’s September 2020 letter wherein he states the reasons why he believes his original forearm injury also damaged his right wrist, to include his recollection of conversations with his doctors, the examiner is asked whether there is any change in the examiner’s opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran’s carpal tunnel syndrome is caused or aggravated by his status post fracture of the right forearm. Please explain why or why not. TANYA SMITH Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board A. Papacalos, Law Clerk 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.