Wrist & hand decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure all relevant records are obtained and reviewed, including service treatment records and private medical records. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lymphatic cancer is not related to his active duty, but was presumed due to exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The neuropathy of the left forearm and wrist is considered a direct result of service without any connection to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraine headaches and residuals of a ganglion cyst of the right wrist were denied as he failed to report for scheduled VA examinations, resulting in the claims being rated based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to tend to the basic functions of self-care without regular assistance from another person and he is in need of aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service-connected left wrist arthritis is manifested by pain but full range of motion. The RO found that the disability did not meet the requirements for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for SMC by reason of the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or being housebound was denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

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

The Board denied service connection for chronic headaches, bilateral shoulder disorders, and left and right elbow disorders due to a motorcycle accident in service. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need to clarify his periods of active duty. The Board will address these issues in a subsequent decision.

The Veteran's right ankle disability has been granted a 20% rating since December 21, 2011. The other claims for increased ratings have also been granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral upper extremity disability, including carpal tunnel syndrome in both hands. The examiner will be asked to determine if his current hand disabilities are related to his time in active duty.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the etiology of his tinnitus and right shoulder/wrist injuries, as well as to obtain updated treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist and sleep apnea, as well as his claim for an increased rating for low back pain with Schmorl's nodes L2/3 and 5, with degenerative disc disease. The combined evaluation was correctly calculated.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his lower extremity and neurological conditions, effectively result in the loss of use of his left lower extremity together with residuals of organic disease which so affect the functions of balance or propulsion that he is precluded from locomotion without the aid of a cane. His claim for specially adapted housing assistance is granted.

The Veteran's combined schedular rating for multiple service-connected disabilities has now reached 100 percent, rendering moot his claim for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service connected disorders.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the left knee is found to be aggravated by his service-connected right knee disability.,Service connection for right wrist degenerative joint disease and a right arm disability, radial nerve laceration are granted with initial noncompensable ratings.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected Ganglion cyst, left wrist, was denied. The claim for secondary service connection of the left shoulder bursitis to the service-connected left wrist condition is also denied.

The VA determined that the Veteran did not have a chronic wrist disability during service or since, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome and ulnar neuropathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected residuals of fracture of the right third metacarpal.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is rated at 20 percent, the highest available under Diagnostic Code 5010 for traumatic arthritis. The claim for a higher evaluation is denied as there are no criteria met for a higher rating.