Wrist & hand decisions — 2015

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for increased ratings for his service-connected right wrist and right knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected wrist fractures were denied as the evidence did not show impairment analogous to favorable ankylosis in 20 to 30 degrees of dorsiflexion or unfavorable ankylosis.

The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right wrist disability and denies the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain updated findings regarding his service-connected arthritis of the right wrist. The case will be reviewed by the AOJ after all necessary development has been completed.

The Veteran's bilateral wrist disability, diagnosed as carpal tunnel syndrome, was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were granted, with a noncompensable rating assigned for sinusitis effective May 15, 2006. The Veteran was also granted service connection for various disabilities including radiculopathy of the upper extremities, right wrist disability, left knee disability, right arm disability, right knee disability, sciatic nerve disability, and lumbar spine disability.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for left knee disability, residuals of right ankle injury, and right wrist disability. The new evidence shows current disabilities related to service.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the rating for service-connected sciatic radiculopathy of the left lower extremity from 20 percent to noncompensable, effective December 29, 2012, and 10 percent since September 25, 2013, was not in accordance with law. As a result, the Veteran's 20 percent rating for sciatic radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is restored.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his military service or a service-connected disability, and therefore, denied the claims for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right wrist tenosynovitis, De Quervain's Syndrome and also found that he did not meet the criteria for service connection for hiatal hernia, GERD, heartburn, or other related symptoms.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including malaria and left arm disorders, as there was no evidence of active malaria or a causal link to service. The Board also found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for direct service connection due to lack of in-service diagnosis.

The Veteran's right wrist disability was granted a 40 percent evaluation effective February 1, 2011. An earlier effective date of November 15, 2010 is also granted for the assignment of this rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient reasons and bases in the June 2014 decision, including failure to consider pertinent medical evidence of record and inadequate November 2011 VA medical opinion. The Veteran should be afforded a new VA examination to determine if his bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is etiologically related to service.

The Veteran is granted four (4) annual clothing allowances for the year 2013 due to her service-connected bilateral knee braces and wrist splints causing wear or tear on specific types of clothing.

The Veteran's bilateral shoulder degenerative joint disease is at least as likely as not related to service, and the claim for service connection for this condition is granted. The claim for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome and ulnar entrapment of the elbows is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher level of special monthly compensation due to need for aid and attendance is being remanded as additional examination is needed to assess the extent of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling the Veteran for examinations to assess his left knee disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and PTSD. The claims are also being remanded for issuance of a statement of the case on the issues of service connection for GERD and entitlement to a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including amputation of both lower extremities and other disabilities such as posttraumatic stress disorder, right shoulder rotator cuff tear, sarcoma of the nose, penile deformity with erectile dysfunction and voiding dysfunction, left upper extremity fragment wound with retained foreign body, buttock fragment wound with retained foreign body, left shoulder rotator cuff tear, diabetes mellitus, left wrist fragment wound, coronary artery disease, and tinnitus, have resulted in a need for higher level of care. The Veteran's condition necessitates the provision of daily personal health care services by a skilled provider without which he would require institutional care.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions were denied as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's left wrist ganglion cyst from January 14, 2005.