Wrist & hand decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen claims for service connection for left wrist, low back, and right knee disorders. The Veteran's other service connection claims are denied.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have current plantar fasciitis, anemia or left wrist joint pain to support service connection claims.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left wrist disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and treatment records.

The Board has restored the Veteran's previous disability rating of 10 percent for his service-connected right carpal tunnel syndrome, effective September 1, 2010.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including bilateral knee disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, peripheral neuritis, gout (hyperuricemia), and heart disability (biventricular hypertrophy), were not incurred or aggravated during active service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Board has reopened the claim of entitlement to service connection for a low back disability and granted service connection for headaches, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and right hip disability. The claims for an eye disability and hypertension were withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran is granted additional special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance and loss of use of both feet from July 22, 2008 to July 7, 2009.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities of hands and arms do not result in loss of use.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a right elbow disability has been denied as there is no current diagnosis of such. The claims for initial higher ratings for the right shoulder and myofascial pain syndrome, and for service connection for the right wrist disability are pending.

The Veteran's current cervical spine, lumbar spine, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome disabilities did not have onset in service or within one year of service.,There is no evidence that the Veteran's left A-C joint disorder had its onset during service. The Board finds that these conditions are not related to his military service.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability. Service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome was not established.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are of such nature and severity as to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of right fifth metacarpal fracture. The issue of service connection for right wrist disorder is addressed in the REMAND portion and will be remanded.

The Board found that the Veteran's right and left wrist disabilities did not begin during service, within a year of separation from service, or for many years thereafter. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that she meets the criteria for TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis (other than rheumatoid) of multiple joints, including cervical spine, left foot, wrists, hands, elbows, ankles and lumbar spine. The evidence did not establish a direct link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disability, wrist disability, heart disability, hypertension, cold injury residuals, jaw injury residuals, and glaucoma were denied as they are not related to service or cannot be presumed due to the passage of time.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and post-service medical records. The Veteran will also be scheduled for VA examinations to assess his hearing loss, back disability, and left hand and wrist disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right carpal tunnel syndrome was not incurred or aggravated by service, and therefore denied her claim for service connection.