Citation Nr: 21032805
Decision Date: 05/28/21	Archive Date: 05/28/21

DOCKET NO. 15-45 699
DATE: May 28, 2021

REMANDED

Entitlement to service connection for a left wrist disability is remanded.

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Veteran served in the United States Air Force from July 1977 to July 1979.  

This matter initially came to the Board from a June 2015 rating decision.  The matter was remanded by the Board for additional development in April 2019.

1. Entitlement to service connection for a left wrist disability is remanded.

The Veteran contends the condition is related to an in-service left wrist injury.  The Veteran fell from a bike and experienced pain in the left wrist.  X-rays at the time were within normal limits, however, the Veteran was treated with a cast for approximately six weeks.  The Veteran has consistently maintained that he has experienced pain in his wrist since his separation from service.  

The Veteran has undergone two VA examinations, in June 2015 and December 2019, to determine the etiology of his left wrist disability, which manifests with pain and limitation of motion.  The examiners have attributed the Veteran's current wrist condition to his occupation as a truck driver, finding that this has caused micro-traumas to the wrist.  The Board finds the nexus opinions of record to be inadequate with which to determine whether the Veteran's condition is related to his military service, to include the documented in-service injury to the left wrist.  First, the VA examiners have not addressed the Veteran's competent and credible lay testimony that he has experienced pain since his separation.  It is not enough to simply note that the Veteran did not seek treatment, the Veteran is credible and competent to detail what he is feeling, in this case, that he is feeling wrist pain.  Second, the examiners have failed to explain why the Veteran's left wrist has reduced motion, while the right wrist has range of motion within normal limits.  The Veteran has argued that this goes against a theory that the Veteran's post-service occupation is the cause of his left wrist condition, as there is no evidence of a right wrist condition, though the right wrist would logically be exposed to the same working conditions as the left.  Such an explanation is needed.  As such, the Board finds another remand is required to address the above. 

The matters are REMANDED for the following action:

1. Obtain and addendum opinion from an appropriate clinician to determine the nature and etiology of any chronic left wrist disability.  After reviewing the claims file and examining the Veteran, the examiner should provide an opinion as to whether it is at least likely as not that the Veteran's left wrist disability: 

(a.) had its onset in service or is otherwise etiologically related to active service. The in-service left wrist injury should be addressed as well the lay statements indicating that the Veteran experienced left wrist pain since service. The examiner should additionally address the Veteran's argument that his right wrist does not have reduced motion, while his left does, as evidence that the pain and limitation of motion of the left wrist is related to service.

Rationale should be provided for all opinions rendered. 

If the clinician deems a physical examination is necessary to render the requested opinion one is to be scheduled and conducted.

 

 

DUSTIN L. WARE

Acting Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans' Appeals

Attorney for the Board	E. Rekowski

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.