Wrist & hand decisions — 2012

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling VA examinations. The claims will be readjudicated after all development has been completed.

The Veteran's right wrist disability, characterized by ankylosis and degenerative arthritis, is currently rated at 50 percent. The claim for a higher rating remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a right leg disability and bilateral hand and wrist disabilities has been denied. The Board found no current disability for the right leg, and the March 2009 VA examination did not provide sufficient detail to support a finding of a current disability for the bilateral hand and wrist condition.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims for service connection. This includes obtaining medical records, scheduling VA examinations, and determining whether any current disabilities are related to military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection of residuals of a left wrist fracture due to new and material evidence submitted since the last final denial. The Board is granting this claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral elbow and wrist disabilities are at least as likely as not related to his active service, including injuries sustained while working as an aircraft mechanic. Service connection is therefore granted for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and fatigue. The issues of service connection for diabetes mellitus, hiccups and muscular twitching of the eyes, and multiple joint pain affecting the hands, wrists, fingers, knees, and ankles (including bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome) are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound is remanded due to insufficient VA examination reports considering all of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (migraine headaches, right wrist fracture with residual weakness in the right hand, and status post left elbow fracture) prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's CTS of the right upper extremity is rated at 50 percent from February 14, 2003, through January 24, 2008. The claim for an increased rating for CTS of the left upper extremity was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining additional medical opinions and treatment records. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's joint pain, chronic fatigue, and headaches are found to be related to his service-connected PTSD with depressive disorder and psychotic features.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, headaches, lipomas, right hip disorder, bilateral knee disorders, and right hand/wrist disorder. These claims are now considered on their merits.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU based on his service-connected lower back and right wrist disorders, effective December 17, 1996. However, the RO discontinued this benefit due to substantial gainful employment from December 1997 onwards.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for certification for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only due to his inability to use his lower extremities, despite having significant disability.

The Veteran's headaches were found to be related to service, and she is granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to address the etiology of his claimed disabilities and to clarify the nature and severity of his service-connected left ulnar neuropathy.

The Board has granted service connection for lupus and the associated hip, shoulder, and joint conditions. The Veteran's service-connected mechanical low back pain is rated at 40 percent from October 18, 1997.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as well as his request for a TDIU. The issues of reduction in rating were found to have been properly processed.

The Veteran's right wrist disability has been rated as 10 percent disabling since December 17, 2004. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other criteria.