Citation Nr: 21040877 Decision Date: 07/07/21 Archive Date: 07/07/21 DOCKET NO. 17-02 949 DATE: July 7, 2021 REMANDED Entitlement to service connection for a right index finger condition (originally claimed as arthritis), is remanded. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty in the United States Navy from December 1987 to July 1989. This matter comes before the Board of Veterans' Appeals (Board) on appeal from a rating decision, dated in July 2016, issued by a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Regional Office. 1. Entitlement to service connection for a right index finger condition is remanded. The Board regrets the delay associated with this remand. However, based on a review of the evidence of record, the Board finds that a remand is necessary to allow the Agency of Original Jurisdiction (AOJ) to conduct additional development. Specifically, a remand is warranted to afford the Veteran with a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed right index finger condition. A medical examination is necessary when there is (1) "competent evidence of a current disability or persistent or recurrent symptoms of a disability," (2) evidence establishing an in-service "event, injury, or disease," and (3) an indication that the disability or symptoms may be associated with service or with another service-connected disability, but (4) insufficient medical evidence of record for the Secretary to make a decision on the claim. McLendon v. Nicholson, 20 Vet. App. 79, 81 (2006); see 38 U.S.C. § 5103A(d)(2); 38 C.F.R. § 3.159(c)(4). Here, the first McLendon factor has been met, as the Veteran has complaints of finger pain. See July 2016 NOD. The Board finds the Veteran competent to report on his symptoms and treatment for right index finger pain, and his statements to be credible. See Coburn v. Nicholson, 19 Vet. App. 427, 433 (2006). Given such, the first McLendon factor has been satisfied. Further, the fourth McLendon factor has been met, as no medical opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right index finger condition is of record. With respect to the second and third McLendon factors, the Veteran's service treatment records (STRs) note treatment for a right index finger laceration in March 1989. See March 1989 STR-Medical at 50-54. Additionally, the Veteran has asserted that his current right index finger condition is a direct result of what he experienced in service. See July 2016 NOD. As such, the Board finds that the second and third McLendon factors have been met. Therefore, the Board finds that, as the McLendon requirements have been met, a remand is necessary to provide the Veteran with a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed right index finger condition. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. With the Veteran's assistance as appropriate, obtain and associate with the electronic claims file any outstanding VA treatment records, as well as any pertinent private records. Pursuant to 38 C.F.R. § 3.159(e), any efforts to secure these records MUST be documented in the electronic claims file, and the Veteran MUST be informed if any of these records are unable to be secured. 2. After completing the development above, and any additional development warranted by the record, schedule the Veteran for an examination with an appropriate clinician regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed right index finger condition. The entire claims file must be provided to and reviewed by the examiner, and any indicated tests, studies, or evaluations should be performed. The examiner is asked to: a.) Obtain the Veteran's detailed lay history, including onset and progression of symptomatology. b.) For each diagnosed right index finger condition, opine as to whether it is at least as likely as not (i.e. a 50 percent or greater probability) that such condition had its onset during, or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease. c.) If and only if the examiner determines the Veteran has a current disability associated with his right index finger. The examiner should address why there is no causal relationship between the Veteran's right index finger injury in-service and his currently diagnosed right index finger condition. If medical literature is relied upon in rendering this determination, the VA examiner should identify and specifically cite each reference material utilized. d.) A complete rationale for all opinions offered must be provided. 3. THE AOJ MUST REVIEW THE CLAIMS FILE AND ENSURE THAT THE FOREGOING DEVELOPMENT ACTION HAS BEEN COMPLETED IN FULL. IF ANY DEVELOPMENT IS INCOMPLETE, APPROPRIATE, CORRECTIVE ACTION MUST BE IMPLEMENTED. IF ANY REPORT DOES NOT INCLUDE ADEQUATE RESPONSES TO THE SPECIFIC OPINIONS REQUESTED, IT MUST BE RETURNED TO THE PROVIDING EXAMINER FOR CORRECTIVE ACTION. K. Anderson Acting Veterans Law Judge Board of Veterans' Appeals Attorney for the Board David B. Scheirich, 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.