Wrist & hand decisions — 2014

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a hearing at the RO or via videoconference.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a video-conference hearing and issuance of a statement of the case regarding his left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is manifested by arthritis with pain, weakness, and fatigue associated with motion. The Board finds that the criteria for a 30 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5214 are more nearly approximated than those for a 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5215.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly the neurological impairment affecting his lower extremities, render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's asthma is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 6602.,The Veteran's left wrist and forearm strain are currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Codes 5214 and 5215.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, an increased rating for right carpal tunnel syndrome, and initial evaluations greater than 10 percent for right wrist and ankle surgical scars. The TDIU claim was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of osteoarthritis of the knees was denied. For his service-connected rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis of the hands and wrists, he is granted a 10% rating for each hand and wrist, but not higher.

The Board has remanded the case due to difficulties in obtaining VA treatment records from prior years. The Veteran's claims for service connection are pending and will be reviewed again after these records are obtained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative osteoarthritis of the right wrist was caused by a metal sliver that lodged into his wrist during service. The Veteran's current breathing problems are presumed to be due to exposure to asbestos in service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his left wrist injury residuals and determine if his right wrist DJD is related to his service-connected left wrist disability, and providing a medical opinion regarding secondary service connection.

The Veteran's additional wrist disabilities, including CTS and osteoarthritis, are not etiologically related to his service. His left shoulder strain with degenerative joint disease is linked to his service.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is found to be related to service, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to determine the relationship between his bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and post traumatic stress disorder with respect to his military service, including any potential exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's service-connected left wrist disability has been rated as 10 percent disabling since April 20, 2011. Prior to that date, the disability was not compensable.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied across multiple conditions and issues. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of frostbite, chest pain, right arm disorder, left wrist disorder, right shoulder disorder, left elbow disorder, or right foot disorder. The back disorder claim was also denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of left ear hearing loss, bilateral arch and foot disability, or bilateral wrist disabilities. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus to service or any other condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disk disease of the lumbar spine did not cause or aggravate his left shoulder, left hand/wrist, and cervical spine disorders. The case was remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left knee patellofemoral traumatic arthritis and left wrist degenerative joint disease were denied. The evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or instability.