Wrist & hand decisions — 2011

The Veteran's Sjögren's Syndrome has been rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board found that separate compensable disability ratings for the Veteran's right wrist, left wrist, cervical spine, and lumbar spine were already in place due to service connection. Therefore, a separate rating for Sjögren's Syndrome was denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's increased rating claim for his right wrist disability, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating prior to February 1, 2008 and since then. The case was remanded but has now been returned without prejudice.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected right wrist disability, which is productive of marked limitation of motion and strength. The issue of TDIU remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left wrist tenosynovitis and ganglion cyst are not related to her military service, and therefore denied her claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left carpal tunnel syndrome was incurred in service and is etiologically related to service, granting service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to assess the severity of his service-connected right wrist arthroplasty throughout the appeal period.

The Board found no current diagnosis of a right knee or bilateral wrist disability, thus denying service connection for these conditions.,However, the Veteran was granted service connection for his right ankle disability, which is linked to an injury sustained during basic training.

The Veteran is in need of regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected conditions, including PTSD with dysthymic disorder, dumping syndrome, and other disabilities. The Board has granted special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's spouse requires regular aid and attendance due to her physical disabilities, including MS, carpal tunnel syndrome, congestive heart failure, and arthritis. The decision grants special monthly compensation (SMC) for this need.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral elbow pain and bilateral wrist strain, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim due to inadequate medical opinion and further development is required.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher evaluations for her service-connected right and left wrist strains, finding that the evidence did not support ratings in excess of 10 percent. The lumbar spine disability was rated as 20 percent disabling.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a diagnosed right ankle, left elbow, right elbow, or right wrist disorder etiologically related to the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability evaluation for his service-connected left wrist injury is being remanded for additional development to ensure that the current state of his condition is accurately assessed.

The Veteran was awarded a higher initial rating for his mood disorder and the criteria for an increased rating were not met for other conditions.,The Veteran's left knee disability did not meet the criteria for an increased rating prior to December 22, 2004, and thereafter. The right wrist and left wrist disabilities also did not meet the criteria for increased ratings as they are already at their maximum evaluations under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as a matter of law due to his failure to report for VA examinations without good cause.

The Veteran and the appellant were legally separated for the entire period on appeal prior to August [redacted], 2009, when their divorce became final. The Veteran has been in receipt of service-connected disability ratings for his low back disorder, left knee disorder, irritable bowel syndrome with hiatal hernia, right knee disorder, and left wrist disorder. The appellant was not entitled to an apportionment of the Veteran's VA compensation benefits due to her reasonable discharge of support responsibilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and industrial background.

The Veteran is seeking higher initial ratings for his service-connected ulcerative colitis and left forearm/wrist disability. He also seeks service connection for a chronic respiratory condition and bilateral knee/shoulder disabilities.,The Veteran is seeking an increased rating for his service-connected left femur fracture, which he contends has caused or aggravated his current knee and shoulder conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred on October 26, 2007, for left wrist pain with swelling are eligible for payment or reimbursement under VA regulations.