Wrist & hand decisions — 2017

The Board has granted the Appellant's claim for special monthly pension (SMP) based on the need for regular aid and attendance, as she requires assistance from her daughter to manage daily activities due to her health conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected left wrist disabilities have approximated loss of use of the left hand, warranting a higher 60 percent rating on an extra-schedular basis and SMC based on consequent loss of use of the left hand.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed bilateral wrist disability and sinusitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral inguinal herniography residuals did not meet the criteria for a 10 percent rating prior to March 19, 2009. From March 19, 2009, there is no legal entitlement to a compensable rating based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's bilateral inguinal herniography residuals have not required at least one month of convalescence or resulted in severe postoperative residuals as per VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and providing an opinion on the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has raised the Veteran's current evaluation for right wrist instability with degenerative joint disease to a 30 percent rating on an extraschedular basis, and found that a 20 percent rating is warranted for left wrist instability with degenerative joint disease. These ratings are higher than the currently assigned 10 percent ratings.

The Veteran's left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome is rated at 20 percent, the highest available rating for moderate incomplete paralysis of the median nerve. The Board found that her symptoms and functional limitations are consistent with this level of disability.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, anemia, and coronary vasospasm. The claims for bilateral knee disability and allergic rhinitis are pending and will be addressed in the remand portion of this decision.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a right wrist fracture are manifested by no more than limitation of motion without ankylosis. The evidence does not support a higher rating or entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the claim for service connection for ischemic heart disease, as due to herbicide exposure. The Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss disability is not related to his military service. The August 2002 rating decision denying the Veteran's claim for service connection for a gunshot wound of the left wrist is final. No new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a gunshot wound of the left wrist.

The Board has remanded the case for further explanation of the attorney fee award, as the AOJ failed to provide a detailed basis for the $2,590.60 in attorney fees awarded.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed left wrist disorder, including whether it is as least as likely as not that the disability was sustained during service or is etiologically related to an injury or illness sustained by the Veteran during his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right wrist/hand disorders and associated residuals.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete medical records and the need for updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected right wrist conditions have not met the criteria for higher ratings, with his degenerative joint disease rated at 10 percent and neuritis rated at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left hip osteopenia had its onset during service and is therefore granted service connection. The bilateral wrist disorder and right hip disorder are not shown to have their onset during service, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's right hand disorder is not service-connected as there is no evidence of a current disability apart from the already compensated service-connected right wrist tenosynovitis.,Hypertension was not manifested during active service and is not related to service. The Board finds that hypertension did not manifest within one year after separation from the first period of active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an outstanding EMG report from a previous examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection is pending and will be reviewed after obtaining the missing medical records.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right thumb and index finger, as well as his right wrist condition, are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's left wrist disability has been rated at 10 percent since December 9, 2008. The Board found that the evidence supports a higher rating but not in excess of 10 percent.