Wrist & hand decisions — 2011

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a right wrist injury, laryngeal cancer (claimed as throat cancer), and bilateral cataracts. The decision found that post-traumatic arthritis of the right wrist was incurred in service, but did not find any link between the Veteran's laryngeal cancer and his military service or exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the right hip, back, knees wrist and feet is not service connected as secondary to his service-connected Reiter's syndrome with conjunctivitis.

The Veteran's service-connected right hand and finger conditions do not preclude him from participating in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The claims of entitlement to higher ratings for low back strain and PTSD are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further action including a new VA examination and consideration of entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for psoriasis of the bilateral wrist and ankles, and residuals of a rib fracture to include chest pain were denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or nexus to service.

The Veteran's appeal for a reduction in his evaluation from 30 to 20 percent was denied. The Board also found that he is not entitled to an increased rating prior to September 1, 2007.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed left arm disability, including any retained metal fragments from an in-service injury. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left wrist fusion is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected spinal fractures, C5-6, with anterior discectomy and fusion. Therefore, service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a right wrist laceration is granted. His lumbar spine disability and S-1 root compression with left thigh and calf radiculopathy are rated at 20 percent each, but his increased rating claims remain denied.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for his lumbar spine and left knee disabilities was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 20 percent for the lumbar spine disability or a rating in excess of 10 percent for the left knee disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to the RO for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and considering his claim for TDIU. The case will be returned to the Board after these actions are completed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back disability and residuals of left wrist disability were not incurred in or aggravated by service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA medical examination to assess her need for aid and attendance or housebound status based on her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left wrist traumatic neuropathy is currently rated at 40 percent for the period beginning November 17, 2007. He is also entitled to a separate disability rating of 10 percent for his left wrist tender surgical scar.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rate of special monthly compensation (SMC) pursuant to 38 U.S.C.A. � 1114(o) is being remanded due to the need for an examination and medical opinion regarding whether the aid and attendance required by the Veteran is for a disability that is separate and distinct from the loss of use of the feet.

The case is remanded for additional examinations and development of the claims, including obtaining medical records and providing the Veteran with VA compensation examinations to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical examination and review of the claims file, including the December 2010 motor conduction studies. The Veteran's service connection claims for left knee disability, bilateral wrist and thumb disability, and left ankle disability will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected carpal tunnel syndrome and bilateral hearing loss. The RO must also consider whether he is unemployable due to his disabilities.

The Board found that the right wrist and left knee disabilities are not related to service, with no indication of a severe injury in service. The appellant's long-term work as a golf professional is considered more likely to have contributed to these conditions.