Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure all relevant evidence is considered in the decision on the veteran's claims for service connection.

The veteran's appeal involves claims for increased ratings for traumatic arthritis of the right wrist and ankle, as well as a TDIU claim. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical examinations and records.

The veteran's claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist, a temporary total evaluation based on convalescence required as a result of surgery in May 2001, and an increased disability rating for residuals of a left knee injury are all denied.

The VA determined that the veteran is not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, specifically his right hand and shoulder injuries. The evidence did not support a finding of TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left wrist disability, diagnosed as Kienböck's disease, had its onset during active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities of the left wrist and index finger have been granted with initial ratings of 10 percent each, effective November 21, 2001. The appeal for earlier effective dates and total disability based on individual unemployability was denied.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected Kienböck's disease of the right wrist does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent, as there was no evidence of ankylosis or other exceptional circumstances.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a left knee condition, right knee condition, stomach disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a left wrist scar. The RO previously denied these claims in September 2002 without reopening them.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and degenerative bone disease, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for right and left carpal tunnel syndrome have been granted, but the appeal is dismissed as no justiciable case or controversy remains.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of a chip fracture of the left fifth finger presented such an exceptional or unusual disability picture with marked interference with employment as to render impractical the application of the regular schedular standards, and thus grants an extraschedular rating of 10 percent.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining service personnel records and medical opinions regarding his hepatitis C claim. His right hand/wrist disability claims are also being remanded.

The veteran's cervical spine disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has granted this evaluation. The service connection for left carpal tunnel syndrome was also established.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of the claims, including addressing whether there is clear and unmistakable evidence that the veteran's claimed disabilities existed prior to his military service.

The VA denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's post-operative scars on his right forearm and wrist, assigning an initial 10 percent rating effective April 10, 2003.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate examination reports and unclear language in previous examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and readjudicating the issues on appeal.

The Board found that the veteran's back disorder, right ankle disorder, left wrist disorder, and bilateral shoulder disorder are not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome was not incurred in or related to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to inadequate notice and because of the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records from VA and Social Security Administration.