Wrist & hand decisions — 2011

The Veteran's scar on his left wrist is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating based on current evidence.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for disabilities of the left wrist and thumb, which he claims are related to his military service. The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including obtaining potentially missing service treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA dermatology consultation records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to assess his right wrist disability and service-connected keratotic lesions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neurological residuals of a right wrist injury do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as they are manifested by mild incomplete paralysis of the ulnar nerve.

The Veteran's knee and hip disabilities, as well as his wrist disabilities, were not present during service or within one year of discharge. The VA examiner concluded that the current diagnoses are less likely related to military service.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is being remanded for further development, including the provision of an updated VA examination and readjudication.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is rated as noncompensable, with limited motion and swelling. The pelvic fracture with numbness has also been rated as noncompensable.,Service connection for hypertension was denied due to failure to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine was denied. The claim for TDIU remains pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The reduction of the rating for bilateral maxillary sinusitis was upheld, but her claim for an increased rating for allergic rhinitis was denied.,Her request to reopen a claim for service connection for painful elbows, wrists and fingers was denied as new evidence did not establish a link with service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and an increased rating for his right shoulder disability. The TDIU claim was also denied as the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete medical records. The Veteran's claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of both wrists and an increased evaluation for low back strain with degenerative joint disease at L2-3 and L4-5 are being returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities, including osteoarthritis of the right and left knees, degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, and thoracic outlet syndrome, do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound due to his ability to perform daily activities with assistance.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed back and wrist disabilities, as well as their relationship to service-connected left shoulder disability. The case will be readjudicated after obtaining these opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding the Veteran's left wrist disability, including a need for a new VA examination and review of relevant medical records.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical examinations and opinions regarding the Veteran's right wrist, left ankle, right ankle, bilateral pes cavus, and Reynaud's syndrome claims. The examination should include obtaining X-rays of the joints in question for the right wrist, left ankle, and right ankle, as well as weight-bearing X-rays for the feet.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome was granted. However, his initial compensable rating claim for degenerative changes of the right foot was denied.

The Board has determined that additional development of the evidence is required, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, verifying in-service stressor allegations, and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board Hearing. The issues of entitlement to service connection for right shoulder and right wrist disabilities are pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left total knee replacements with osteoarthritis, osteoarthritis of the wrists, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The VA examiner found that these conditions were not caused by or related to military service.