Wrist & hand decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and the evidence does not support a higher rating as his wrist remains ankylosed in a favorable position.

The Veteran's combined disability rating is 80%, meeting the schedular requirements for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. However, he is currently employed in a stable IT job and has successfully completed his associate's degree, indicating that his service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal of the issues of nonservice-connected pension benefits and special monthly pension by reason of being in need of regular aid and attendance or on account of being housebound. The Board is dismissing these claims.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral wrist disabilities, including CTS, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected knee disorders. The examiner opined that the wrist conditions were less likely than not caused by or increased in severity due to the service-connected knee disorders.

The Veteran's schizoaffective disorder is found to be aggravated by her service-connected PTSD, warranting service connection.,Service connection for a bilateral wrist disorder is denied as there is no evidence of chronic disability in service or within one year post-service.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service records and the need for a VA examination to determine if any current bilateral hand neurological disability, including carpal tunnel syndrome, is related to inservice frostbite.

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

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a neurological disorder of the left upper extremity, finding that his symptoms are related to his already service-connected left shoulder disability and not due to an in-service injury or exposure.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the current existence of the Veteran's claimed disabilities and their etiology. The appeal will be remanded for such development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral elbow condition, right hip condition and right wrist condition are related to her active duty service.,Service connection is granted for all three conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA medical opinion to address whether any preexisting left upper extremity disability, including from the December 3,1985 service treatment record reference to injury of the left wrist and/or from the October 2007 injury, was aggravated by the period of ACDUTRA from July 9, 2010 to July 24, 2010.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not of such severity as to preclude substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience during the appeal period.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from obtaining or retaining substantially gainful employment throughout the appeal period, except for a brief period when he was assigned a combined disability rating of 100 percent. The effective date for the TDIU is January 16, 2015.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left wrist sprain with hyperflexion injury and secondary ulnar nerve damage, as well as his back disorder. These conditions are considered to be directly related to his military service.

The Board denied initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for left and right carpal tunnel syndrome, but granted a TDIU rating.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to outstanding records and further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (headaches and degenerative arthritis of the right wrist) are found to be so severe that they prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment, warranting a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.