Wrist & hand decisions — 2009

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and employment history.

The Board has granted the Veteran a 10 percent evaluation for schizoaffective disorder and found that he is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, including his right wrist and ulnar nerve disabilities. The TDIU claim remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). His combined evaluation is 50 percent, which does not meet the required percentage under VA regulations.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence, resulting in a final decision.

The Veteran's left wrist disability has been rated at 10 percent since March 29, 2005. The appeal for increased ratings is denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU rating as his combined disability rating is 80 percent, which does not meet the required percentage threshold. The Board denied service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings on his service-connected disabilities are being remanded due to the submission of additional evidence that has not been considered by the RO.

The Board found that the Veteran's right wrist arthritis was not incurred during service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of both wrists did not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's emergency medical services at a private facility from May 29, 2007 to May 31, 2007 were authorized as they met the criteria for payment under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new VA medical examination to determine the current severity of the service-connected right wrist disability and whether it is manifested by nonunion of the radius, false movement, loss of bone substance, or marked deformity.

The Board denied an evaluation in excess of 50 percent for service-connected right knee injury, status post anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction and arthroscopy and denied an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected left wrist fracture, status post open reduction and internal fixation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for his migraine headaches, right calf muscle injury residuals, and right wrist disability. The evidence did not support a finding of severe or prostrating migraines, nor did it show that the injuries to the right calf muscle or right wrist warranted an evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's left wrist compression neuropathy is currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for this condition. The Board has determined that the disability does not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for appropriate VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed bilateral wrist and hand disability and respiratory disability.

The Veteran's service-connected right wrist fracture and post-traumatic osteoarthritis do not warrant an evaluation in excess of the current 10 percent rating.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including VA examinations to determine the etiology of the Veteran's tinnitus and carpal tunnel syndrome and familial tremors of the right hand.

The Board has determined that service connection is warranted for iliotibial band syndrome but not for left wrist ganglion cyst.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for proper VCAA notice. The case will be returned to the Board for further review after necessary corrections are made.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a new orthopedic examination. The claims will be adjudicated again based on the newly obtained evidence.