Citation Nr: 22014349 Decision Date: 03/12/22 Archive Date: 03/12/22 DOCKET NO. 17-17 340 DATE: March 12, 2022 REMANDED Service connection for right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Service connection for left wrist CTS. REASONS FOR REMAND The Veteran served on active duty from May 1985 to July 2002. The case is on appeal from a September 2013 rating decision. In November 2019, the Veteran testified at a Board hearing. The claim was last before the Board in July 2020. At that time, the Board reopened the claims for new and material evidence having been submitted for the claims of right and left wrist CTS and remanded the claims of service connection for a left knee condition; right knee condition, to include as secondary to a left knee condition; and right and left wrist conditions, including CTS, for further development. Subsequently, in an August 2020 rating decision, the RO granted service connection for left and right knee strain, with an evaluation of 10 percent, effective October 9, 2012. Thus, the bilateral knee claims are no longer on appeal. 1. Service connection for right wrist CTS. 2. Service connection for left wrist CTS. The Board finds there was not substantial compliance with the Board's July 2020 remand directives where the Board directed the RO to obtain a new medical opinion. See Stegall v. West, 11 Vet. App. 268, 271 (1998). The Board observed that even though the Veteran was afforded a July 2020 VA examination, the VA examiner did not properly consider the evidence of record, such as service treatment records (STRs) noting in-service treatment for wrist conditions and the Veteran testifying at the November 2019 Board hearing that he has continued to receive treatment from the VA for his wrists since service. Upon remand, a new VA medical opinion was provided in July 2020. The examiner again concluded, after reviewing medical records and performing a physical examination, it is less likely than not that the Veteran's right and left wrist strain/carpal tunnel is related to military service. As rationale, the examiner provided there are no medical records showing diagnosis or treatment for right or left wrist musculoskeletal strain or any nerve condition during active duty. The examiner acknowledged neither the Veteran's lay statements during his November 2019 Board hearing testimony nor the STRs clearly demonstrating in-service treatment for a bilateral wrist condition. Rather, the VA examiner relied on a lack of documented diagnosis in-service and an inaccurate reading of the STRs. Accordingly, a new opinion is warranted. In light of the remand, updated VA treatment records should be obtained. The matters are REMANDED for the following action: 1. Obtain VA treatment records since June 2020. 2. Schedule the Veteran for an examination by an appropriate VA clinician to determine the nature and etiology of any right and/or left wrist condition(s). After review of the file, the examiner should first determine whether the Veteran has any current condition of the right and left wrist, including CTS, which may include pain alone that arises to the level of functional impairment. If a diagnosis or functional impairment is not shown, it should be explained why this is so. If there is a diagnosis or functional impairment, the examiner should then opine whether it is at least as likely as not (a 50 percent or greater probability) that any right and/or left wrist condition is related to an injury, event, or disease during service, including CTS. (Continued on the next page) Consideration should be given to relevant STRs and lay statements provided by the Veteran. A rationale for all opinions expressed should be provided. 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.