Wrist & hand decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to reassess his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to work, given his level of education, prior work experience, and training. The case will be readjudicated in light of all evidence.

The Veteran's request for an extension of his temporary total rating beyond January 31, 2011 was denied as he did not require convalescence from his July 9, 2010 left wrist surgery and did not have severe post-operative residuals.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are being reviewed to determine if they caused or contributed to his cause of death, which was terminal lymphoma. The Board has ordered a VA opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's cause of death.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral elbow, shoulder, and wrist disabilities are related to his military service due to their secondary nature.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left wrist disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent, as there is no evidence of ankylosis. The current 20 percent evaluation adequately reflects his functional impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for appropriate examinations to determine the current severity of his left wrist and shoulder conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and incomplete medical records, requiring further development of the claim.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left wrist pain and blurry vision, as these conditions may be related to his military service. The Veteran's claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and need for additional examinations. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and physical conditions, render him unemployable in light of his educational and occupational history. The Board finds the evidence at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to all service-connected disorders.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have carpal tunnel syndrome, and therefore service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability has rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment, as it precludes him from performing the physical demands of his former profession as a plumber/pipe fitter.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left wrist disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of evidence.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims for bilateral hand disorder, CTS, sleep disorder (claimed as sleep apnea), skin disorder, TMJ, conjunctivitis, and bilateral foot disorder. However, these claims are reopened due to the submission of additional evidence related to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claims.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for anal fissure was denied as he did not have the condition during the pendency of his appeal. The claims for higher initial ratings for left and right CTS, status post left and right wrist fractures, and tinea pedis are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's cervical disability and testicular atrophy were found to be related to his period of service, while the ganglion cyst left wrist was not. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and Hepatitis B claims are denied.

The Veteran's bilateral foot, knee, and left wrist disabilities are found to be related to his active service. The remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral ankle disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral elbow disability, and back disability are remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, right wrist tendonitis, and residuals of a left thumb injury. The evidence received since the September 2004 rating decision relates to these conditions and raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating such claims.,Service connection is granted for bilateral pes planus, right wrist tendonitis, and residuals of a left thumb injury on the merits.