Wrist & hand decisions — 2009

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records. The Veteran is also to be scheduled for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current right wrist disorder and the severity of his service-connected left wrist ganglion cyst removal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including obesity, have rendered him unable to dress or undress himself, keep himself clean and presentable, feed himself without assistance, attend to his wants of nature, or protect himself from the hazards of his environment. He is therefore in need of regular aid and attendance.

The veteran seeks a higher initial disability rating for his right wrist injury with degenerative joint disease. The Board has ordered further examination and development of the case due to the veteran's testimony regarding worsening symptoms.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a right foot injury, tinnitus, hypertension, carpal tunnel syndrome, cervical spine disability, and bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence of an in-service disease or injury that could be linked to these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's right wrist fracture was not caused by VA carelessness, negligence, or error in judgment. Therefore, compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional records from the Social Security Administration.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for arthritis of the left knee. The Veteran's claims for epicondylitis of the left elbow and carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist were also denied as they are not related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current left wrist disability and that any pre-existing injury did not worsen during service. Therefore, service connection for a left wrist disability is denied.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for residuals of a right wrist injury and residuals of a left shoulder injury. The claim for PTSD remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left thumb dislocation with traumatic arthritis and fracture, navicular, left wrist were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence on file, and further development is required including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the appellant requires regular aid and attendance due to her physical disabilities, which necessitates assistance on a regular basis to protect herself from daily environmental hazards. The decision grants special monthly compensation for a surviving spouse based on need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and effective dates were denied, as well as his attempts to reopen service connection claims for elbow, ankle/heel, and wrist disabilities. The RO found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for reopening these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected dyspepsia and scar, left wrist have been granted initial evaluations of 10 percent each. The effective date for these ratings is November 1, 2004.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence sufficient to reopen the Veteran's bilateral wrist disability claim has been received. The case is REMANDED for further development before readjudicating the claim on the underlying merits.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and because adjudication of these claims may impact other secondary service connection claims.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed disabilities, finding that they are not related to his service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current headache disorder is related to his active service or any in-service disease or injury.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a skin disorder and hypertension, were denied. Service connection was granted for residuals of a left ankle injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left wrist and left knee disabilities were not incurred or aggravated during service, nor can arthritis be presumed to have been so incurred or aggravated. The preponderance of evidence is against the claims for service connection.