Wrist & hand decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to ensure full compliance with the duty to assist, including scheduling a VA examination and providing VCAA notice. The TDIU claim will also be developed.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right wrist disability and the appellant's claim for nonservice-connected burial benefits are both remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and reopening of a claim for irritable bowel syndrome are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any left wrist disability and whether she is entitled to separate ratings for her service-connected bilateral pes planovalgus.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for PTSD, an increased rating for a right wrist laceration scar, and an increased rating for right carpal tunnel syndrome. The initial ratings assigned were not granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule her for VA examinations to assess the severity of her low back disability and left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a cervical spine examination. The issue of service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome has also been raised.

The Veteran's low back disability and GERD were granted service connection, with the low back disability receiving a 40% initial rating.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right wrist disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show ankylosis of the wrist, and therefore, the maximum schedular evaluation under Diagnostic Code 5215 could not be granted.,Regarding the TDIU claim, the Veteran's sole service-connected disability (right wrist) is rated at 10 percent. The criteria for a TDIU rating were not met as there was no single disability rated at least 40% or two disabilities each rated at least 40%, bringing the combined rating to 70%. Therefore, referral to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service for extraschedular consideration is required.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, to include as secondary to his right wrist disability. The evidence submitted since the November 2005 rating decision did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The VA examiner found no evidence of chronic left wrist condition and opined that the current left wrist disability is less likely caused by or a result of the in-service injury. The Veteran's assertions about his symptoms are not supported by medical evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral wrist pain has not been attributed to an identifiable disorder and did not manifest to a degree of at least 10 percent, thus denying service connection for his bilateral wrist disorder.

The Board finds that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's bilateral wrist arthritis was incurred in service, and grants his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to determine the current severity of her conditions.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is currently rated at 10 percent, but the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The Board finds that the current 10 percent rating adequately reflects the severity of his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings was withdrawn, and the left ankle disability is rated at 20% prior to April 27, 2011, but not more than 10% beginning from that date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right wrist disability, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation prior to July 24, 2012 and from that date.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the feet, ankles, hands, and wrists is found to be related to his presumed exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The Veteran's right upper extremity disability, characterized by episodic myotonia and carpal tunnel syndrome, does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent. Separate ratings are also denied as his symptoms do not warrant distinct evaluations.