Wrist & hand decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral shoulder, elbow, wrist, ankle, and foot conditions, as well as cardiac disorder, acute MI, urinary disorder, and hyperthyroidism, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to active duty service. The issues of bilateral hearing loss, mechanical low back pain, and residual scar of an excised ganglion cyst of the left wrist are addressed in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip, right ankle, and left wrist disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance or being housebound was denied as she does not meet the criteria for such benefits due to her ability to care for herself and lack of any service-connected disabilities rated at 100%.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip, right ankle, and left wrist disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to make a determination on the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his claimed conditions and exposure history.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing federal records, specifically 1992 VA treatment records for a right thumb tendon transfer surgery. The Veteran's service treatment records and Reserve service verification are also needed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were granted, with the right wrist disability receiving a 10% rating and the right second finger scar receiving separate 10% ratings as of March 14, 2013. The issues related to service connection are resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete documentation and the need for an examination regarding wear and tear on clothing caused by service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered based on this new information.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back disability is not service-connected and denied his claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a ganglion cyst of the right wrist.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate explanation of referral for extra-schedular consideration and failure to address right wrist limitation during flare-ups in ankylosis.

The Board found that the reduction from a 20% to a 10% rating for right elbow strain with limitation of pronation of right forearm, residuals of right hand and wrist injury was improper. The Veteran's disability picture does not reflect an improvement under ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Board has granted service connection for recurrent right carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that the Veteran's symptoms have been continuous since service and attributing this to an in-service injury. The respiratory disorder claim is denied as there is no evidence of current asbestosis or a link between asbestos exposure during service and any current respiratory condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities, including left middle ear cholesteatoma and various hand and wrist conditions. The effective dates are not specified.

The Veteran's permanent and total service-connected disability, including his left lower extremity disabilities and heart condition, effectively precludes him from locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair. He is therefore entitled to specially adapted housing benefits.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for chronic otitis media, adult fibrosarcoma, dermatofibrosarcoma, residuals of a left wrist injury, and asthma. The Veteran's hearing loss is granted as service connected.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other symptoms associated with his service-connected conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, headaches, sleep apnea, carpal tunnel syndromes, hemiplegia, polyneuropathy, and cerebrovascular disease. The decision is based on a lack of current disability as defined by VA standards.

The Veteran's facial scarring, depression, varicose veins of the lower extremities, and bilateral knee disabilities are all found to be related to her service. The right wrist disability is also found to be related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for carpal tunnel syndrome, esophageal reflux, allergic rhinitis, and respiratory infection need to be remanded due to insufficient medical opinions in the original decision.