Wrist & hand decisions — 2014

The Veteran withdrew the claim for service connection for reflex sympathetic dystrophy for multiple joints including the right wrist, right elbow, right shoulder, knees, neck, hands, legs, upper back, and lower back. The claims for service connection for a left wrist condition, right hip condition, and sleep apnea were not substantiated by the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran is currently receiving the maximum schedular rating for his right index finger disability, which has been rated as 10 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 5229 due to limitation of motion. Service connection was not granted for blurred vision or visual impairment, arthritis of the right wrist, and a left knee disability.

The Veteran's right wrist degenerative joint disease and tenosynovitis are found to be related to her service-connected carpal tunnel syndrome, thus granting service connection for these conditions as secondary to the service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board videoconference hearing at the RO. The issues of service connection and ratings for knee disabilities are still pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and special monthly compensation based on loss of use of the left hand are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a supplemental opinion from the examiner who conducted the December 2009 examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left hand disability is less likely than not related to his service, including any in-service motor vehicle accident and burn injury. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further action due to inadequate examinations in previous decisions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and initial ratings for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction and diabetic retinopathy, as well as his left wrist disability. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for right and left carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as associated radiculopathy in the upper extremities, were denied by the Board. The current ratings of 10 percent are deemed adequate.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected knee and wrist conditions have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for service connection have been dismissed as the claims are legally insufficient due to withdrawal of appeal and finality of previous decisions.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability ratings for left and right wrist strain with degenerative changes have been granted, effective prior to January 27, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues and will schedule a Travel Board hearing for the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are denied as he did not serve during a recognized period of war, thus making him ineligible for nonservice-connected disability pension benefits.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA medical examination to determine if his diagnosed conditions are etiologically related to service-connected constipation.

The Veteran's service-connected right wrist disability is not shown to be productive of the hand fixed in supination or hyperpronation, and therefore does not warrant a rating higher than 30 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for her right wrist disability is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for the purpose of obtaining relevant records from the Social Security Administration and providing proper notice for a TDIU claim.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is currently rated at 30 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it does not result in ankylosis or loss of bone substance. The evidence shows reduced range of motion and pain, but no additional functional limitation that would more closely resemble ankylosis.