Wrist & hand decisions — 2015

The Board is remanding the case to consider whether an extra-schedular rating for the Veteran's service-connected residuals of a left wrist fracture should be granted, taking into account his multiple disabilities including hypertension and left ulnar neuropathy. The VA must also obtain any relevant SSA records and post-service treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the assignment of a 10 percent rating for a right wrist fracture is dismissed as his prior appeal was withdrawn, and he cannot obtain an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's death was not caused by VA care or negligence. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 as his service-connected disabilities were rated at less than total disability and he had no pending claims for VA benefits.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for his reactive arthritis conditions have been granted, with the highest rating of 30 percent assigned for reactive arthritis of the left foot. The other disabilities are rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including arthritis of the knees, ankles and right foot, have resulted in loss of use of both lower extremities such as to preclude locomotion without regular aid of a walker and wheelchair for more than 200 feet. The claim is granted for specially adapted housing.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim due to an inaccurate factual premise regarding his in-service injury and conflicting evidence of record. A new VA examination is required to determine if any nerve damage, including carpal tunnel syndrome, is related to service.

The Board found that the cause of death, metastatic lung cancer, was not related to service and concluded that no service-connected conditions contributed to the Veteran's death. Therefore, DIC benefits based on the cause of death are denied.

The Veteran's appeal was withdrawn, and the Board granted a 10 percent initial disability rating for service-connected migraine headaches for the entire initial rating period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to August 24, 2012 for service connection of right elbow tendonitis, right wrist strain, left wrist fracture, and tinnitus are not warranted as there is no credible evidence indicating a formal or informal claim was filed with VA before this date.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA medical opinion to determine if the Veteran's service-connected disabilities contributed substantially or materially to his death, and whether his suicide was related to his severe chronic pain.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no current conditions that met the criteria for service connection, except for migraine headaches and erectile dysfunction (ED) with Peyronie's disease.

The Veteran's PTSD, along with associated alcohol dependence and other service-connected conditions, most nearly approximates the criteria for a 70 percent rating beginning April 13, 2012. The Board granted service connection for neurological disabilities of the upper and lower extremities as secondary to his PTSD and associated alcohol dependence. Service connection was also granted for radiculopathy of the right leg and bilateral CTS, both found to be related to his PTSD and alcohol dependence.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn. The claims for service connection for asbestos exposure, a left knee disability, and the reopening of service connection for blurred vision, bronchitis, right tibial stress injury, and hearing loss of the right ear are dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for his hand disabilities were denied. The Board found that the current residuals of an in-service injury to the left hand are not related to military service, and that dermatitis venenata does not meet criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome was not incurred during service and is not otherwise related to his military service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding the Veteran's wrist disability. The Veteran's bipolar disorder rating remains under review.

The Veteran's sliding hiatal hernia has been rated at 30 percent since February 3, 2015. The right ankle strain and TDIU issues remain unresolved.

The Veteran's right wrist disorder, diagnosed as status post ganglion cystectomy of the right wrist, is related to his military service and has been granted service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disorders are denied as there is no current disability related to the in-service injuries and the claimed conditions have not been shown to be directly related to service.