Wrist & hand decisions — 2009

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand and whether he is unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on a need for regular aid and attendance of another person or on account of being housebound.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The left knee, right knee, and bilateral hip disorders are currently rated as per the criteria provided.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disability was granted a non-compensable evaluation prior to January 26, 2007 and an initial compensable evaluation of 10 percent thereafter. The Veteran's CTS, left wrist, was granted a non-compensable evaluation prior to March 7, 2007 and an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent thereafter.

The Board has granted service connection for loss of bone in the mandible between teeth nos. 23 and 26 due to a traumatic injury sustained during service, and has also granted an initial compensable rating (10%) for left arm scars as residuals of shell fragment wounds.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were denied. The initial ratings assigned for traumatic arthritis of the right wrist and left wrist, as well as the residuals of left elbow fracture, are not supported by the evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right arm disability, left wrist disability, neck disability, and low back strain prior to February 13, 2008 are all denied. The Veteran was granted a compensable rating (10%) for her left index finger distal interphalangeal joint tendon disruption.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues and will schedule a videoconference hearing for the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for left upper extremity neuropathy and left wrist DJD are being remanded due to the need for additional examination findings. The claim for an increased rating for bilateral hearing loss remains on appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of injuries to his hands, wrists, neck, back, and right leg. The claim for residuals of an injury to the right maxilla (head injury) was also denied as there is no evidence that a chronic disorder involving the right maxilla was incurred in service.

The Veteran does not have tendonitis of the right arm, wrist, or elbow that is related to active duty service. Osteoarthritis was also not shown within a year of discharge from active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions and therefore service connection is denied for hearing loss, right eye problems, tinnitus, and bilateral hand/wrist joints.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at C. R. H. for a left wrist injury were denied as the treatment was not deemed emergent and did not meet the criteria for reimbursement under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for throat cancer, right knee arthritis, and right ankle disability were denied. The claim for left wrist disorder was remanded.

The Board has found that the Veteran's post-operative fracture of the carponavicular bone of the left wrist does not warrant a rating higher than 20 percent, as it is currently evaluated at the highest schedular evaluation available based on limitation of motion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, bilateral foot disorder, fatigue, joint pain of elbows and wrist, low back disorder, skin rash, bilateral ankle condition, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder. The decision found that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a left arm disability, previously adjudicated as carpal tunnel syndrome of the left arm, is granted. The Veteran's increased evaluation claim for residuals of shrapnel wound fracture/dislocation of T12 with loss of bowel control is also granted and rated at 60 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an extension of eligibility for vocational rehabilitation training under Chapter 31, Title 38, United States Code due to a lack of evidence showing medical infeasibility or serious employment handicap during his period of basic eligibility.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and retaining employment consistent with his abilities, aptitudes, and interests; he does not have an employment handicap.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for residuals of a fractured right wrist due to new evidence submitted since the last final denial. The Veteran's current condition is being evaluated in light of his military service.