Citation Nr: 21022653 Decision Date: 04/16/21 Archive Date: 04/16/21 DOCKET NO. 16-21 714 DATE: April 16, 2021 REMANDED Service connection for residuals of a right-side hernia repair. An initial compensable rating for scars on the right hand.   REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from June 1968 to June 1972. This matter is on appeal from a March 2014 rating decision. The Board denied these claims in a November 2019 decision. The Veteran appealed the Board’s decision to the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (Court), which issued an order in October 2020 granting an October 2020 Joint Motion for Partial Remand (JMR). The Court’s order remanded the matter for action consistent with the terms of the JMR. The Board’s November 2019 decision also remanded six service connection issues. Those issues were granted in full in a July 2020 rating decision. Hence, they are no longer within the scope of this appeal. 1. Service connection for residuals of a right-side hernia repair is remanded. The October 2020 JMR found that this issue must be remanded as medical records the Veteran identified in his February 2013 claim were not obtained. The JMR noted medical records regarding a right-side hernia repair on August 15, 2011, and treatment at the West Palm Beach VA Medical Center (VAMC). Remand is necessary to attempt to obtain these records and associate them with file. 2. An initial compensable rating for scars on the right hand is remanded. Consistent with the concerns raided by JMR, the Board finds that this issue must be remanded to obtain a new, contemporaneous VA examination. This is necessary due to the Veteran’s complaints that the scars caused limitation of function of the affected part. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Obtain the Veteran’s outstanding VA treatment records, including records of all treatment concerning a right-side hernia repair on August 15, 2011, and treatment at the West Palm Beach VAMC. All records of treatment obtained through VA’s Choice program and all records scanned into his electronic health record must be associated with the claims file. 2. Schedule the Veteran for an examination by an appropriate clinician to determine the current severity of the scars on the right hand. 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. This must include a description of any limitation of function of the affected parts. RYAN T. KESSEL Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans’ Appeals Attorney for the Board C. Bosely, 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.