Wrist & hand decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of her right upper extremity disability.

The Veteran's fractured left wrist and nose were not caused by VA care, treatment or examination. The fall occurred after she retrieved her eye medication from the main VAMC.

The Veteran's left wrist disability was rated at 20 percent prior to October 6, 2009 and increased to 30 percent from that date. The current rating of 30 percent is considered appropriate based on the severity of symptoms including pain, stiffness, numbness, tingling, mild weakness, sensory deficits, and decreased range of motion.

The Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is granted service connection. The cervical spine disability secondary to lumbar spine disability remains under further evaluation.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for right wrist and right elbow disorders.

The Veteran's right wrist scar is currently rated at 10 percent due to its superficial nature and pain, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as there are no deep scars or limitations of function. The current symptoms do not warrant an increase in disability rating.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for a sinus disability, residuals of a right wrist injury, and an increased rating for residuals of a right arm injury.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left wrist disability is due to an in-service injury, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and multiple physical injuries, preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the criteria for a TDIU have been met.

The Board has determined that additional evidentiary development is necessary prior to its adjudication of the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various disabilities. The case is REMANDED for a new VA examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to his failure to appear at a scheduled Travel Board hearing. He was previously granted service connection for left shoulder dislocations and denied service connection for hypertension, gout, right wrist condition, left wrist condition, right ankle condition, left ankle condition, and left leg condition.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to address the appellant's claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, including providing proper VCAA notice and obtaining additional medical records. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims of clear and unmistakable error in various rating decisions are mixed, with some issues being granted and others denied. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a variety of conditions including flatfeet/pes planus, neck muscle strain, wrist disorders, arthritis, cervical spine disorder, carpal tunnel syndrome, peripheral vascular disease, asthma, rhinitis, sleep apnea, conjunctivitis, hyperlipidemia, and sinusitis.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, degenerative joint disease of the right knee, and right knee instability have been granted. However, his claims for service connection for lower back and cervical spine disabilities, left knee condition, SMC based on aid and attendance or housebound status, and TDIU have all been denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to a failure to schedule a hearing at the Nashville, Tennessee RO. The Veteran requested a Travel Board or videoconference hearing but no such hearing was scheduled.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The effective dates for TDIU and DEA benefits were also denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a hernia, residuals of a right arm/wrist injury (including carpal tunnel syndrome and DJD), and residuals of a right ankle injury. The evidence does not support a finding that any current disabilities are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal of low back disability was dismissed due to withdrawal. The left wrist disability claim has been reopened based on new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations, medical opinions, and development of records.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining National Guard treatment records and VA/VA Medical Center treatment records. The Veteran's tinnitus is also to be examined by a VA examiner, as are his bilateral knee, hand, wrist, and shoulder disorders if they were incurred during periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA).