Wrist & hand decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left wrist disorder is being remanded due to the need for updated VA medical records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbosacral spine spondylosis, degenerative joint disease of bilateral wrists, bilateral knee replacement, and degenerative joint disease of left ankle as new and material evidence was not received to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for stroke, high cholesterol (withdrawn), bilateral hearing loss, left and right carpal tunnel syndromes, low back disability with radiculopathy, depression, and SMC based on loss of use of a creative organ have all been denied. The Board has also dismissed the appeal regarding high cholesterol due to withdrawal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including examination of his cardiovascular and orthopedic conditions.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine and wrist disabilities are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating have been granted, with a noncompensable disability rating assigned for her post-operative fibrocystic breast disease.

The Veteran's left wrist disability has been rated at 10 percent for the entire appeal period. The Board found that ankylosis was not demonstrated, and thus a higher rating could not be assigned based on this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his ability to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities. Additional medical records and Social Security Administration records are needed.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings for his left wrist disorder, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to August 27, 2009, and from August 27, 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and maintaining some form of substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for high cholesterol was denied as the condition is not a disability for VA purposes. The claims for bilateral wrist and knee disorders are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and need for further examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to his request for a Travel Board hearing. The case will be returned to the RO after the hearing.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of right wrist surgery, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to her in-service surgery.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Travel Board hearing before a Veterans Law Judge. The issues include increased evaluations and reopening of service connection claims.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, disability of both hips, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, asbestos exposure, and tuberculosis are all granted. The Veteran is assigned a 30 percent rating for his cervical spine disability since March 26, 2008.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his recently connected right shoulder condition and hearing loss, make it at least as likely as not that he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for back injury residuals with arthritis, bilateral hearing loss, chronic asthma, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The claim for cellulitis was not addressed in this decision. Service connection was denied as there was no new and material evidence to reopen the previously denied claim for back injury residuals with arthritis.

The Veteran's knee, carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic cough, and headaches are being remanded for further development to determine their etiology.