Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's right wrist and carpal tunnel syndrome claims, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The remand also includes consideration of whether an award of total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) should be granted.

The Board has found that the Veteran's dry eye syndrome is aggravated by her service-connected bipolar disorder. The claims for sleep apnea, right and left carpal tunnel syndromes, and tardive dyskinesia are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's increased ratings for right wrist disability and bilateral hearing loss have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating based on current symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for right hand CTS was granted, and he is now receiving a rating of 40 percent. The effective date for this grant has been set at July 9, 2014.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities due to his withdrawal of those claims prior to a decision being made.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examinations and conflicting medical evidence regarding ankylosis of the right wrist. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right wrist disability will be returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected. The remaining claims for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, seizure disability, blood clots in left hand and leg, left knee disability, sterility, and dental disability are remanded for further development.

Service connection is granted for lipoma scars of neck. Temporary total ratings are denied for left shoulder and right shoulder surgeries. A temporary total rating is granted for April 2015 right shoulder surgery. The Veteran's multiple lipomas with residual scars, including newly service-connected lipoma scars of neck, are rated as a single disability. Other claims are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension to include aid and attendance and housebound benefits is denied as he does not meet the criteria for such benefits due to his ability to perform daily activities independently.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions due to the need for further examination and evaluation. The Veteran's symptoms are related to in-service motorcycle accidents, but there is no medical evidence of a diagnosis or etiology for rheumatoid arthritis.

The Veteran's anemia is related to her service-connected hysterectomy and fibroid removal.,There is no current ganglion cyst of the right wrist, and the Veteran does not have a compensable rating for ovarian cyst with fibroids.

The Board has remanded multiple service connection claims for various musculoskeletal and neurological conditions, as well as a claim for an initial disability rating for generalized anxiety disorder. The Veteran is to be scheduled for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board granted service connection for a left shoulder disorder and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least in equipoise with his service-connected right ankle fracture residuals. The claim of entitlement to SMC based on loss of use of the right foot was denied.

The Veteran's right wrist and cervical spine disorders are being remanded for additional examinations to determine their severity and etiology, as well as for the submission of any outstanding medical records.

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right wrist fracture residuals and service connection for sleep apnea due to inadequate examination reports and need for further medical opinions.

The Veteran's right wrist disability was reduced from a 50% rating to a 10% rating effective February 1, 2016. The appeal for increased ratings prior to and after this date is denied.

The Veteran's use of back and wrist braces for service-connected disabilities causes abnormal wear and tear on his clothing, warranting a clothing allowance for the year 2017.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of various conditions have been dismissed. The claims for TBI, dizziness, HTN, bone spur and wart of the right foot, blurred vision, plantar fasciitis of the left foot, migraine headaches, and residuals of fractured right shoulder were not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the claims for service connection for back, bilateral hip, bilateral foot, and bilateral hand/wrist disorders need to be remanded due to inconsistencies in previous evaluations and consideration of other factors.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, leading to a grant of TDIU.