Wrist & hand decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disabilities related to his claimed conditions, and therefore service connection cannot be granted for residuals of a right clavicle fracture, bicipital tendonitis, residuals of a right second or fourth finger fracture, and left wrist disability.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his right wrist disability has been denied as he is already receiving the maximum schedular rating. The issue of an extraschedular rating for his right wrist disability has also been referred to the Director of Compensation for consideration.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for his service-connected conditions have been denied. The current ratings of 10 percent are maintained.

The Board has remanded the appeal to the RO for additional procedural development, including scheduling a video conference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at VA's facility. The Veteran was sent letters with his current address in Omaha, Nebraska, but they were returned as undeliverable. The RO should attempt to contact the Veteran's attorney to ascertain his current address and contact information.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder and bilateral hand disorder were not incurred in service and are not otherwise related to service. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain with sciatica (lumbar spine disability) is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board finds that he is entitled to a separate compensable rating for left lower extremity impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical opinions and records. The issues include service connection for various disabilities and a TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are denied as the earliest date of claim is March 13, 2009.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for any of the claimed disabilities, as there is no evidence showing a nexus to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his TDIU and DEA benefits, left him in need of regular aid and attendance. The Board found that he met the criteria for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has denied a higher disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected arthritis of the right wrist, as her symptoms do not meet or approximate the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right wrist disabilities and consideration of his TDIU claim.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected left knee disability did not cause or aggravate his current right wrist condition, and thus denied the claim for secondary service connection.

The Veteran's right and left wrist carpal tunnel syndromes are each rated at 30% and 20%, respectively, with no additional service connection granted for Grave's disease or exercise-induced asthma.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's diagnosed conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and various forms of arthritis, are related to service. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his right wrist fracture and service connection for a left shoulder injury are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting further examination.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims for service connection, and thus the claims are denied.

The Veteran's protein deficiency syndrome has been denied. The effective dates for service connection of left knee meniscus tear and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease have also been denied as they are not earlier than the date claims were filed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and a VA examination for his claimed headaches.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including cervical spine and upper extremity conditions, render him unemployable due to his physical limitations.