Wrist & hand decisions — 2011

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including a comprehensive examination to assess the cumulative impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Board finds that the appellant does not have a current skin condition of the hands and wrists, and thus cannot establish service connection for this claim. The Board also notes that there is no evidence of record supporting the other two issues raised in his appeal.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a right humeral head lesion, which he contends is related to his service-connected thoracic outlet syndrome. The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the onset of the condition and its relationship to other service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected posttraumatic carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand is currently rated at 10 percent, and this rating remains unchanged.

The Board denied service connection for chronic right wrist, left wrist, and left shoulder disorders. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing a direct relationship to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen the previously denied claims of headaches and diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to untranslated documents and other issues.

The Board denied service connection for migraine headaches, bipolar disorder, and residuals of a fractured left wrist. The claim for reopening the low back pain was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his left wrist and forearm disability, as well as PTSD, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an evaluation in excess of the current 10% ratings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical examinations.

The VA determined that the Veteran's right wrist disability, which is currently manifested by pain and limited motion, does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, which include major depressive disorder and multiple joint issues, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of June 1, 2008. The Board has determined that he meets the criteria for a TDIU effective from this date.