Wrist & hand decisions — 2013

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or a special home adaptation grant due to his inability to use braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair as a normal mode of locomotion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right wrist arthralgia does not present an exceptional or unusual disability picture with marked interference with employment, and thus a rating in excess of 10 percent on an extraschedular basis is denied.

The VA determined that the Veteran's current disabilities, including arthritis of multiple joints, back pain, shoulder pain, knee pain, and wrist pain, were not incurred in or caused by his active military service. The Board found the evidence insufficient to establish a connection between these conditions and his service.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder, including associated upper extremity radiculopathy and a left knee disorder on the basis of new evidence. The Veteran's right knee disability is rated at 10%.

The Veteran's right wrist CTS and left metatarsal fracture disabilities were granted increased ratings, with the right wrist rating remaining at 30 percent. The scar associated with her right wrist surgery was also granted a non-compensable disability rating.

The Veteran's right carpal tunnel syndrome and related conditions are found to be service-connected, with no new rating assigned.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the Veteran prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for post-operative residuals of a left wrist disability has been reopened. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains on the merits, with some issues granted and others not.

The Veteran's chronic joint problems, including as due to an undiagnosed illness or other qualifying chronic disability under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1117, were not found to be related to his service and are therefore denied.

The Board has denied service connection for headaches, blurred vision, and pes planus due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. Service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is pending as additional development is needed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including pain in the left hand and wrist, degenerative arthritis of the left knee with a Baker's cyst, and depression, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board grants total disability based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for left ulnar mononeuropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome resulting from a surgical procedure in April 2008 at the VA Medical Center in Erie, Pennsylvania. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if there was substantial compliance with informed consent requirements.

The Veteran's current right wrist/hand condition is not service-connected, but the old fracture deformity of his right fifth metacarpal is found to be due to an in-service injury.

The Board finds that there is no credible evidence of a right upper extremity disability during or since service, and the only medical opinion evidence does not support a nexus between any current disability affecting the right upper extremity and service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates were denied. The Board found that the Veteran's neurogenic bowel warranted a 30 percent rating, which was the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 7332. For his left wrist scar, the VA examination did not show any instability or pain, thus preventing him from receiving an additional compensable rating.

The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist was rated at 40 percent from July 26, 2004 to December 14, 2011. The appeal for a higher evaluation is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further development of his claims, including a VA examination regarding diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule him for a videoconference hearing at the appropriate RO.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected non-united scaphoid fracture with ankylosis and traumatic arthritis, left wrist is being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining medical records and providing an examination.