Wrist & hand decisions — 2012

The case is REMANDED for a Board hearing and further development. The Veteran will be scheduled for a hearing either at the local RO or via video conference, whichever they prefer.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and found that the Veteran's current stomach disability is related to his active service. The right wrist arthralgia, hysterical nervousness (conversion type), and residuals of puncture wound to the right foot instep are all considered separately.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his active service, ACDUTRA, or INACDUTRA and are not caused by a pre-existing condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's De Quervain's disease of the right wrist manifested during active military service and is therefore granted service connection. However, there is no evidence of current hearing loss or tinnitus to support service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed cervical spine, low back, bilateral hip, and upper extremity neurological disorders are not etiologically related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for all claimed conditions, finding that the evidence did not show their presence or association with military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and an addendum to the previous wrist conditions examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for her service-connected right wrist disability and a rating in excess of 10 percent for her service-connected left patellar femoral syndrome with thigh atrophy.

The Veteran's left carpal tunnel syndrome was found to be etiologically related to her military service, and she is granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected right wrist laceration residuals are not entitled to a compensable evaluation, as the disability does not result in any functional impairment or symptoms that would warrant such a rating.

The Board has determined that the September 2011 VA examination report is inadequate to adjudicate the claims for service connection of bilateral wrist disabilities. The Veteran's claims are being remanded for further development, including obtaining an etiological opinion from a QTC examiner regarding whether her bilateral wrist disabilities were caused by her service.

The Veteran's initial ratings for right wrist tendonitis and right Achilles tendon rupture were denied as the evidence did not support higher evaluations.

The Board has found new and material evidence to reopen the claim of service connection for residuals of a left wrist injury, which was previously denied in March 1984. The Veteran now has medical evidence showing he currently suffers from left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's left wrist disability, which includes degenerative joint disease, ganglion cyst, and DeQuervain's tenosynovitis, is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of her condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone render him unable to care for most of his daily personal needs or to protect himself from the hazards and dangers incident to his daily environment without the assistance of others, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his service-connected conditions did not meet the criteria for increased ratings. The left foot disability, hypertension, right wrist and elbow disabilities were all found to be rated appropriately based on their current manifestations.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the claims of service connection for tinnitus, sprained fingers, a left third finger fracture, cervical trauma, a left groin pull, a chipped bone, left elbow, a chipped bone, right elbow, a right hamstring disability (also claimed as thigh), a left hamstring disability (also claimed as thigh), right Achilles tendon trauma; lateral ligament injury, left wrist trauma, right wrist trauma, a right hand disability, to include carpal tunnel syndrome (claimed as nerve problem and trauma), depression, chronic pain syndrome, left Achilles tendon trauma, a left hand disability, to include carpal tunnel syndrome (claimed as nerve problem and trauma), and status post right great toe fracture.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of her service-connected linear scleroderma of the scalp and the nature and etiology of her left wrist disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not been sufficient by themselves to preclude all forms of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background. The Board finds that the criteria for a TDIU, including on an extra-schedular basis, are not met.

The Veteran's left wrist injury, currently manifested by pain and favorable ankylosis in 20 degrees dorsiflexion, meets the criteria for a 20 percent disability rating under DC 5214. He is not entitled to higher ratings based on other diagnostic codes or additional conditions.