Wrist & hand decisions — 2016

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, securing his VA vocational rehabilitation file, and providing an advisory opinion from a VA Vocational Rehabilitation Division counselor regarding the effect of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's left wrist disability, characterized by painful motion and limited range of motion, warrants a 10 percent rating from February 1, 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hand and wrist condition, to include carpal tunnel syndrome, is not etiologically related to his active duty service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the current condition is linked to his military service.

The Veteran's multiple non-service-connected disabilities, including hernias with progression to an intestinal fistula and arthritis of multiple joints, render her helpless or so nearly helpless that she requires the regular aid and attendance of another person for special monthly pension purposes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and service personnel records. The Veteran also needs a new examination for his right hip and left wrist disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral knee, wrist (CTS), and gastrointestinal disorders are found to be related to service. The Board grants these claims.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is rated at 10 percent, and his low back disability prior to October 24, 2014, was also rated at 10 percent. From October 24, 2014, the rating for his low back disability has been increased to 40 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her low back disability and left wrist CTS were denied by the Board, as there was no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes that would warrant higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a diagnosed bilateral ankle disability, cervical spine disability, gastrointestinal (GI) disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), or frostbite of the toes during service or within one year of separation. Therefore, these claims are denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and bilateral wrist disorder, finding that there is no evidence of such conditions during or since service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a personal hearing before a Veterans Law Judge sitting at the RO. The issues include service connection claims and rating disputes.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches, left and right hallux valgus with hammer toe, tinea unguium (onychomycosis), residuals of a right wrist fracture, and scar from inguinal herniorrhaphy are all rated as 30 percent disabling. The Veteran is granted increased ratings for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated financial information and a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected left wrist disability. The issue of entitlement to TDIU is also part of this appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left hip muscle strain (also claimed as left groin/ left leg injury) has been reopened and granted.,Service connection is established for right knee meniscal tear, left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome and tenosynovitis, and tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for left carpal tunnel syndrome is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and updated treatment records.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability, characterized by painful motion and limited range of motion at the shoulder level, warrants a 20 percent initial rating under Diagnostic Code 5201.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claim that his right hand disability is directly related to service or secondary to a service-connected condition, and thus denied the claim.

The Veteran's residuals of a left wrist fracture are rated at 20 percent, and his left cubital tunnel syndrome is rated at 20 percent effective May 4, 2015. Both conditions have been granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and referral for extraschedular consideration, finding that prior to September 29, 2006, his right wrist disability did not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to failure to report for a VA examination and for obtaining additional medical records.