Wrist & hand decisions — 2011

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active duty service. The right wrist disability claim is pending due to insufficient evidence.

The Board finds that the Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses at Mitchell County Hospital in October 2009 meet the criteria for reimbursement due to a service-connected disability, an emergency medical condition, and non-feasibility of VA facilities.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his substantive appeal for the combined rating of heat stroke residuals and depression was not timely filed, and he did not request an extension of time to file a timely appeal.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is rated at 20 percent, the highest schedular evaluation for arthritis of the major upper extremity. The appeal is denied as the evidence does not meet or more nearly approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her low back disability from July 11, 2008 to August 29, 2011. The evidence does not show that the Veteran's service-connected low back disability was manifested by forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine greater than 30 degrees but not greater than 60 degrees; a combined range of motion not greater than 120 degrees; or muscle spasm or guarding severe enough to result in an abnormal gait or abnormal spinal contour. The Veteran's claim for increased rating is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing at the New York, New York RO due to his request.

The appellant has withdrawn her appeals regarding the issues of entitlement to service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and entitlement to accrued benefits. As a result, these issues are dismissed.

The Veteran's left knee was granted an initial compensable rating of 10% prior to July 19, 2001. Service connection for a cervical disability, right wrist disability, and right elbow disability were denied.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and denied service connection for Tendonitis of the Right Wrist based on the evidence provided.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA examinations and a Social and Industrial Survey to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's shell fragment wound to the right hand/wrist is currently rated at 10 percent for peripheral neuropathy of the long and little fingers, at 10 percent under muscle group IX and at 10 percent under muscle group VII. The Board found that his disability does not warrant a higher rating based on current evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for the residuals of frostbite of the left hand with peripheral neuropathy, and denied the remaining issues on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder as secondary to lumbosacral strain were denied, with the Board finding no additional disability resulting from VA treatment and no evidence of exposure to known causative agents.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for residuals of right wrist fracture was granted, with an effective date of June 13, 2006. The VA determined that the disability warranted a 10% evaluation as of August 12, 2010. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability was also granted.

The appellant withdrew his appeal regarding the denial of service connection for a right wrist disability before the Board could issue a decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a disorder manifested by internal bleeding, and residuals of a right wrist injury are pending. The claim for restoration of a 100% rating for residuals of ulcerative colitis, post-ileostomy reversal and closure is denied. The claim for increased rating for hemorrhoids is denied. The claim for compensable rating for scars due to abdominal surgery remains non-compensable.

The Board denied service connection for all claimed disabilities, finding no credible evidence linking any of the conditions to service.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as her claims for service connection are not supported by the evidence of record.,The Veteran was granted service connection for depression, but denied service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities made him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment as of June 24, 2003. The Board granted an effective date of June 24, 2003 for the TDIU rating.