Wrist & hand decisions — 2012

The Board has determined that there is no current evidence of a thoracolumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, anal fissure, bilateral knee disorder, or bilateral wrist disorder. Therefore, the Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that none of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's service-connected left wrist fracture and degenerative joint disease do not warrant a rating higher than the current 20 percent evaluation.

The Veteran's initial ratings for headaches and bilateral wrist arthritis were denied as there was no evidence of characteristic prostrating attacks averaging once a month over the last several months, or less frequent attacks warranting a noncompensable rating. The initial staged ratings for degenerative arthritic changes of the right and left wrists met the criteria for 10 percent ratings.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected GERD with positive H. pylori antibody and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied an increased rating for the right wrist disability and service connection for a kidney or bladder disability, to include microhematuria. The Veteran's current disabilities are not shown in or since service.

The Veteran is service-connected for multiple conditions and the Board finds that his service-connected disabilities make him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral elbow, wrist, and knee disabilities, prostate disability, psychiatric disability, hypertension, and skin disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right wrist disorder and bilateral hearing loss, finding no credible evidence linking these conditions to his active duty. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining relevant military and VA records, as well as scheduling examinations to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's psychiatric and left wrist disabilities.