Wrist & hand decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical examinations and opinions for the Veteran's claimed conditions, as well as to ensure all relevant records are obtained.

The Board finds that the Veteran's morbid obesity is likely due to his service-connected asthma and steroid use, while carpal tunnel syndrome is less likely related to his active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left wrist ganglion cyst and an initial compensable rating for right sacroiliac joint separation, finding that there was no evidence of more severe disability warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome and hypertension are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and arthritis of both knees, were rated at 100% disabling prior to his death in March 1998. The Board found clear and unmistakable error in the January 1986 decision that denied a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, as it did not consider the Veteran's combined disability rating at the time of his claim in 1985.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his ankle and hip disabilities were denied as the evidence did not show that any of these conditions had markedly interfered with his employment status or necessitated frequent periods of hospitalization.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's wrist disorders, including a congenital fusion of both wrists and any acquired wrist disorder, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The preponderance of evidence is against finding that her current wrist conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's service-connected fractured left wrist disability is rated at 10 percent and does not render him unemployable.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lumbago, right wrist disabilities, and left wrist disabilities are all service-connected as they were incurred during her military service.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a current condition or in-service injury. The left eye corneal scar does not result in decreased visual acuity to warrant a compensable rating.,The postoperative left knee meniscal tear resulted in pain and occasional instability but did not meet the criteria for an initial 10% disability rating from August 2009 onwards, nor higher than 10% from February 2009 onwards. The lumbar spine DJD met the criteria for a 20% disability rating since February 2009.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of neck and back injuries incurred in service, including the left wrist disorder. The spine disorder is considered a direct result of service due to documented medical history.

The Veteran's right wrist disorder and post-operative residuals of a dislocation of the right elbow were found to be aggravated by his service-connected right elbow disability, warranting service connection. The rating for the post-operative residuals of a dislocation of the right elbow was granted but not increased beyond 30 percent.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and arranging for orthopedic and skin examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disability, right wrist disability, and left wrist disability. The claim for increased rating for diabetic retinopathy associated with diabetes mellitus type II was remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for further development, including obtaining service personnel records and any existing treatment records from Bentwaters Air Base. The appellant is also scheduled for a VA examination to determine if he has the claimed disabilities and whether they are related to service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claims for service connection for a headache disability and hiccups and muscular twitching of the eyes, finding that new evidence supports these claims. The claim for diabetes mellitus remains denied as there is no objective medical evidence showing it was caused by hypertension.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for right and left hand carpal tunnel syndrome, claiming it as a result of exposure to Agent Orange during his Vietnam service. The VA has not provided an adequate examination or opinion regarding the etiology of the claimed condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right wrist disability, including chronic ulnar styloid nonunion and right SLAC wrist, was not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence did not show a nexus between his in-service injury and his current condition.

The Veteran's service-connected right hand carpal tunnel syndrome status post release is rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board found no evidence of more than mild incomplete paralysis warranting a higher rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine the relationship between the Veteran's generalized arthritis and his service, including any potential secondary effects from his service-connected diabetes mellitus.