Wrist & hand decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claim is being remanded for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed bilateral wrist condition, which may be related to service or other factors.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral wrist disability. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has granted service connection for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and remanded the remaining issues of secondary service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran likely has right and left carpal tunnel syndrome, which is attributable to his active military service. Service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II and boils. It also denied his requests for increased evaluations for Meniere's Disease, left knee arthritis, right knee arthritis, residuals of a recurrent right ankle sprain, and residuals of a left wrist fracture.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining workers' compensation records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current right wrist disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right wrist and thumb disorders, finding that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation than the current 30 percent rating for loss of motion of the wrist and 20 percent rating for residuals of a fracture of the proximal head of the right first metacarpal joint.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development to obtain post-service treatment records and schedule her for a VA examination. The Veteran is seeking service connection for DJD of both wrists and bilateral CTS.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and translating Spanish language documents. The issues of service connection for vertigo and a left shoulder condition are also pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for his low back disability, right wrist disability, and bilateral plantar fasciitis. The evidence did not establish a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for left wrist disability allegedly resulting from a cortisone injection in 1996 at a VA facility. The case has been remanded to obtain consent forms, conduct medical opinion, and determine if the increase in pain after the injection constitutes an additional disability or was caused by carelessness, negligence, lack of proper skill, error in judgment, or similar instance of fault on the part of VA.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claims of entitlement to service connection for right ankle and low back disabilities. The Veteran's current disabilities are related to his in-service motor vehicle accident.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right wrist disability and left wrist disability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including a statement of the case on service connection for coronary artery disease and an examination to determine his employability.

The Board found that the reduction in rating for residuals of TBI from 80% to 10% was proper. The Veteran's left wrist fracture and right knee disorder were each rated appropriately, with a separate rating granted for arthritis of the right knee.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim of service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome. The issue of service connection for a low back disorder is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining outstanding treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU has also been raised by the evidence of record.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable as of February 21, 2008. His TDIU claim was granted with this effective date.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for the residuals of treatment for a left wrist fracture and removal of screws and plates, including additional loss of use of the left arm. The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if VA's failure to properly treat his left wrist in December 2001 caused any additional disability.