Wrist & hand decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral wrist and knee conditions have been denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a current diagnosis of these conditions, and thus cannot establish service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's service connection claims for pseudofolliculitis barbae, left wrist ganglion cyst, multiple muscle and joint pain, right leg bone condition, tinnitus, and back disability as new and material evidence was not received to reopen these claims. The Veteran's current back disability is not related to his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee and wrist disabilities do not warrant a higher rating as the evidence does not show that they meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating. The Veteran will need to undergo examinations related to his bilateral CTS, psychiatric disorder, bilateral knee disorder, hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is denied as there is no evidence linking the condition to his military service. His claim for an initial compensable rating for residuals of fracture of the left fifth finger remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as his right wrist disability has not prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for a right wrist disorder and diabetes mellitus type II, finding no evidence of these conditions during or after service. The Veteran's claim was reopened due to new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular percentage criteria for consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a) and his claim is remanded due to a lack of an examination addressing the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's service-connected right wrist fracture was evaluated at a 10 percent rating from April 20, 2010. The disability is currently rated as the maximum allowable under the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Veteran's right wrist disability, which includes a history of a fracture and current osteoarthritis, does not meet the criteria for an increased rating beyond the currently assigned 10% due to lack of favorable ankylosis in dorsiflexion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including herniated disc of the lumbar spine and arthritis affecting multiple joints, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran does not have any current right elbow, wrist, hand, or foot disability, left hand disorder, or dermatophytosis of the feet related to any in-service injury or condition, or to service in any other way.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a right wrist disability that he believes is related to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. The case has been remanded due to the need to obtain additional VA treatment records and to schedule the Veteran for an examination.

The Board has denied all service connection claims as the Veteran does not have any diagnosed disabilities for which he can be granted service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected right wrist strain has been rated as 10 percent disabling since March 14, 2007. The condition is manifested by decreased manual dexterity, problems with lifting and carrying, decreased strength in the upper extremity, and pain.

The Veteran's service-connected right hand disability, rated at 30 percent, does not meet the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities as it is not shown that he is unemployable solely due to this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an opinion on whether the Veteran's right wrist and right upper arm disabilities are aggravated by his service-connected residuals of fracture of the second right metacarpal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been withdrawn, and the claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied as there is no legal basis for assignment of any earlier effective date.

The Veteran's physical impairment due to his nonservice-connected conditions requires care or assistance on a regular basis to protect himself from the hazards of daily environment, and the Board has determined that he meets the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's hypertension was not incurred or aggravated by service. The bilateral shoulder, elbow, wrist, and finger disorders are not related to service. The fatigue is not related to service.