Wrist & hand decisions — 2010

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, which include a right wrist fracture and dislocation with traumatic arthritis, coccygodynia with fracture of the sacral coccygeal joint, and multiple scars, do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew it prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, while significant, do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment in a sedentary capacity.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a separate compensable evaluation for bone/joint deformity, to include impairment of pronation or supination, as part of service-connected posttraumatic arthritis of the distal radius of the right wrist.

The Board has determined that a grant of service connection for scar residuals from breast reduction surgery is in order. The Veteran's current disability, including the left wrist disorder and bilateral eye condition, are not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were generally granted, with some issues remanded. The cervical spine disability was granted a higher rating after April 26, 2006, while other conditions like gastritis, hemorrhoids, headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome in the left wrist, PTSD, tinnitus, hypertension, and vertigo/dizziness (claimed as dizziness) were not established as service-connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left wrist tendonitis and an initial compensable rating for a left wrist scar, finding that his claim for service connection was not supported by evidence of record.

The Board found that the Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist was aggravated by his military service, and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's right hand disability is not etiologically related to active service and may not be presumed to have been incurred or aggravated therein.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left carpal tunnel syndrome had its onset during active service and is present continuously since then, granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain clarification of her periods of active duty, inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA), and active duty. She seeks service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, cervical spine disorder, intervertebral disc degeneration of the lumbar spine, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and hysterectomy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection were not substantiated and have been denied. The decision does not provide a specific evaluation or effective date.

The Veteran seeks service connection for left elbow, wrist, and shoulder disabilities. The case is being remanded to provide additional development including a VA examination to determine the current residuals of his service-connected malaria and whether any currently present disability of the left wrist, elbow, or shoulder was caused or aggravated by the service-connected malaria.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development including a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his right wrist and hand disabilities and his left hip disability, including the graft site scar on his left hip. The Veteran should also be provided notice regarding how VA assigns disability ratings and effective dates.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service connection claims for various conditions. The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including VA examinations and the provision of updated medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are sufficient to render him unable to obtain and maintain any form of substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities require the regular aid and attendance of another person, and the Board has granted special monthly compensation based on this need.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hand and wrist disability was not incurred in or aggravated by his military service, and he does not have additional disabilities due to VA negligence. As a result, both claims for service connection and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 are denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a review of the Veteran's discharge and any supporting documentation from the Army Review Boards Agency. Additionally, another VA opinion is needed regarding the etiology of the Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected carpal tunnel release, left and right knee degenerative joint disease, sinusitis/rhinitis, and dyspepsia have been denied. The evidence does not support the assignment of higher disability ratings in any of these cases.