Citation Nr: 22018249
Decision Date: 03/28/22	Archive Date: 03/28/22

DOCKET NO. 16-04 103
DATE: March 28, 2022

REMANDED

Entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for dense right median sensory neuropathy, residual weakness right hand long flexors is remanded.

REASONS FOR REMAND

The Veteran served on active duty from August 1984 to September 1987.

In a February 2016 VA Form 9 (Appeal to Board of Veterans' Appeals), the Veteran requested a Board videoconference hearing on the matter. A hearing was scheduled in July 2019; the Veteran failed to appear.  A hearing was rescheduled for September 2021 and then postponed for November 2021.  The Veteran once again failed to appear at this newly scheduled hearing. In a February 2022 letter, the Veteran was given the opportunity to request another Board hearing. He was advised that if he did not respond within 30 days, the Board would assume that he did not want a hearing. The Veteran did not respond; the Board will assume that the Veteran does not want a hearing and will proceed accordingly.

1. Entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for dense right median sensory neuropathy, residual weakness right hand flexors is remanded.

The Veteran was last afforded a VA peripheral nerves conditions examination in December 2015.  The Veteran indicated in his substantive appeal that his symptoms have worsened.  He specifically reported weakness and numbness in his right dominant hand, weakness and tingling in his thumb and three fingers, and weakness in his grip.  The Board finds that he should be afforded a new examination in order to determine the current nature and severity of this service-connected disability.  See Snuffer v. Gober, 10 Vet. App. 400, 403 (1997).

The matters are REMANDED for the following action:

Schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the nature and severity of his service-connected dense right median sensory neuropathy, residual weakness right hand long flexors.  The Veteran's claims file should be provided to the examiner.  The examiner must obtain a detailed clinical history from the Veteran and must note all pertinent pathology found on examination in the report of the evaluation.

Any testing deemed necessary should be performed.  The examiner must provide a full description of all signs and symptoms necessary for evaluating Veteran's disability under the rating criteria.  The examiner must comment on the functional effects of the disability evaluated. 

 

Caroline B. Fleming

Veterans Law Judge

Board of Veterans' Appeals

Attorney for the Board	A. M. Clark, 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.