Citation Nr: 21031154
Decision Date: 05/20/21	Archive Date: 05/20/21

DOCKET NO. 17-53 784
DATE: May 20, 2021

REMANDED

An increased rating in excess of 10 percent disabling for residuals of a non-union fracture of right scaphoid (right wrist condition).

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Veteran served on active duty from March 1986 to June 1986.

The case is on appeal from an October 2016 rating decision.

In May 2021, the Veteran testified at a Board hearing.

An increased rating in excess of 10 percent disabling for a right wrist condition.

The Veteran contends he should have a higher rating for his service-connected right wrist condition.  He was last afforded a VA examination for wrist conditions in October 2016.  The Veteran testified at a May 2021 Board hearing that since October 2016, he had surgery on his right hand/wrist and that his wrist could possibly be worse.  An August 2017 outpatient note confirms the Veteran had surgery on his right hand in March 2017 at the Tucson VA Medical Center (VAMC), and that he continues to experience pain and limitation of movement in his right wrist.

Thus, as there is evidence of possible worsening of his right wrist condition since the most recent October 2016 VA examination, the Board finds that the Veteran should be afforded a new VA examination on remand to determine the severity of his right wrist condition.  See Snuffer v. Gober, 10 Vet. App. 400, 403 (1997).

In light of the remand, updated VA treatment records should be obtained, including any treatment records from the Tucson VAMC.

The matters are REMANDED for the following action:

1. Obtain any updated VA treatment records dated since August 2017, including any outstanding records from the Tucson VAMC.

Schedule the Veteran for a VA examination (or telehealth interview, review of the record, etc. if an in-person examination is not feasible) by an appropriate medical professional to determine the severity of his right wrist condition.

 

 

RYAN T. KESSEL

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans' Appeals

Attorney for the Board	S. Becton, Associate 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 This decision is not precedential and does not establish VA policies or interpretations of general applicability. 38 C.F.R. § 20.1303.