Wrist & hand decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claim for automobile and adaptive equipment or for adaptive equipment only is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for withdrawal of the claims for service connection for sinusitis and a left wrist condition.

The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist is rated at 30 percent since July 6, 2009. The other claims for increased ratings and compensable ratings are granted.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional development and consideration of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the criteria for a TDIU have not been met.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a hand disorder, finding that new and material evidence has been received. The underlying issue of whether service connection should be granted will be addressed in a separate remand.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for an in-person hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO, rather than a video conference. The case will be returned to the Board after this hearing.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for clarification of the August 2012 VA examination and additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations to address his wrist and knee conditions.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for his service-connected thoracolumbar spine and right wrist disabilities were denied. The VA found that the current ratings adequately reflected the severity of these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including scheduling a videoconference hearing and consolidating evidence into claims files.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's period of active service from October 16, 1981, to March 18, 1986 is dishonorable and constitutes a bar to VA benefits. The case is now remanded for further development regarding his first period of active service (October 16, 1978, to October 15, 1981).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right wrist disability was received on June 6, 2002. The RO granted this claim and assigned an effective date of May 9, 2005.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to determine the full nature and extent of his service-connected disabilities, including any associated neurological or vascular manifestations. The issues of entitlement to service connection for a vascular and/or neurological disability of the bilateral wrist/hands as secondary to service-connected residuals of right and left wrist sprain/strain are also being addressed.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's previously denied claims of entitlement to service connection for left carpal tunnel syndrome and arthritis of bilateral feet. As a result, these claims remain in their final status.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's claim for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only is denied as he does not meet the criteria for certification due to lack of service-connected disabilities resulting in loss of use of feet, hands, or ankylosis of knees or hips.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a left thigh disorder characterized by numbness, were denied as secondary to his service-connected residuals of a right ankle fracture.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination to assess the current severity of her service-connected carpal tunnel syndrome disabilities.