Wrist & hand decisions — 2016

The Veteran's right wrist disability, including any associated right hand weakness, is currently rated at 10 percent under the appropriate diagnostic code. The Board has determined that a higher evaluation is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

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

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right wrist disability and bilateral hearing loss, as well as his attempt to reopen a previously denied claim of service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen this claim.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has found that further development is needed, including obtaining treatment records from a free medical clinic. The case will be returned to the AOJ for completion of this task.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder was reopened and granted effective July 1, 1974.,Service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome was granted effective June 30, 1975.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inadequate examination and medical opinion regarding the etiology of current right wrist, ankle or knee disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral knee disorder, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and skin disorder. The Board found no clear and unmistakable evidence that the conditions preexisted service or were aggravated by service. There was also no probative medical opinion linking any current condition to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of her medical records.

Service connection was granted for left knee osteoarthritis, status post total knee replacement with an effective date of June 14, 2005.,Service connection was granted for degenerative arthritis of the left elbow and wrist associated with residuals of an injury to the left forearm with effective dates of June 13, 2012.,Service connection was granted for neuralgia of the radial nerve and median nerve associated with residuals of an injury to the left forearm with effective dates of June 14, 2005.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 10 percent for residuals of right and left wrist fractures, finding that there was no evidence of ankylosis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and medical inquiry, including obtaining SSA records, prison records, and VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including several orthopedic conditions and bipolar disorder, do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current left hand and left leg disabilities are not related to his service or any service-connected conditions, and thus cannot be granted service connection on a direct basis.

The Veteran's recurrent elbow, wrist, and hand pain is considered to be due to an undiagnosed illness during his service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for her bilateral wrist carpal tunnel syndrome are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has found that the Veteran's low back disability is a result of in-service injuries and his current left wrist arthritis may be related to his military service. The claim for service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's left wrist disability was not shown to be ankylosed, and her C-section scar is painful but not unstable or keloid. The Board denied the claims for increased evaluations as the evidence did not support a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the submission of new evidence and a request for a Travel Board hearing. The claims will be readjudicated by the RO.