Wrist & hand decisions — 2010

The Veteran's right wrist navicular fracture presents such an exception that it renders impractical the application of the regular schedular standards, warranting a 10% extra-schedular rating.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and generalized anxiety disorder, but denied service connection for left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, memory loss disability, headaches, and excessive snoring. The appellant's tinea of the shoulder and groin areas are rated noncompensably disabling since September 15, 2003.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of his claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his National Guard service records and a VA examination to determine the etiology of his sleep apnea, left hand injuries, and left wrist injury.

The Veteran's pes planus is characterized by pronation, pain on manipulation, and calluses. The Board has determined that the preponderance of the evidence supports a 30 percent evaluation for bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for recurrent otitis media and cholesteatoma of the right ear, as well as a right wrist fracture, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the right ear condition or any compensable rating for the right wrist fracture.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, except for a left wrist injury. The Veteran's testimony and medical evidence support her claim of having injured her left wrist during active service in 1991. As this is considered direct service connection due to an injury sustained during service, the Board has granted service connection for the left wrist injury.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right wrist disability, finding that his pre-existing right wrist condition did not worsen during service and thus could not be considered aggravated.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial evaluation for residuals of left hand injury affecting the long, ring and little fingers was granted. Service connection for traumatic arthritis of the left wrist, bipolar disorder, and loss of four upper teeth due to dental trauma were also granted.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims due to his withdrawal of the issues concerning increased evaluations for the scar residuals of a splenectomy and recurrent ganglion cyst.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and opinion regarding his employability given his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's service-connected death pension benefits, accrued benefits, and burial benefits due to lack of eligibility based on his military service.

The Veteran's unauthorized private medical expenses incurred on July 1, 2007 were not related to a service-connected disability and did not constitute an emergency requiring immediate treatment.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for residuals of right third metacarpal fracture prior to December 30, 2009 was denied. The Board granted a maximum 10 percent disability rating for residuals of right third metacarpal fracture since December 30, 2009.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected right wrist disability is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for scheduling of a VA examination. The RO/AMC will also consider the referred matters of service connection for left shoulder and left wrist conditions, secondary to service-connected right radial nerve paralysis.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and assessments of his right elbow disability, including neurological impairment. The current evaluation does not reflect all symptoms and diagnoses associated with his condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling a hearing and obtaining additional medical records.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome did not have its onset in active service and has not otherwise been shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation of his left wrist disability and service connection for a left forearm disability was denied. His current 10 percent rating for the left wrist disability remains unchanged.