Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of increased ratings and service connection due to the lack of recent VA examinations and incomplete medical records. The Veteran's left wrist sprain will be remanded for a new examination, while his lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities will have their ratings reconsidered.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his post-operative residuals of right forearm and right wrist disabilities were denied as there was no evidence supporting an increase in disability beyond what is already compensated by the current 10 percent ratings.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen claims for service connection for right shoulder, ankle, wrist disabilities. The claim of tuberculosis (claimed as positive TB test) was withdrawn by the Veteran during a hearing. Service connection is denied for residuals of a broken nose, heartburn, and athlete's foot.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of his TDIU claim. The right wrist condition issue remains under review, but a new examination is required as per recent court decisions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the issues of left wrist ganglion cyst removal, right wrist ganglion cyst removal, left flat foot with pain, and sinusitis, status post septoplasty has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew these claims during a hearing before the Board.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of service dates and a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development due to an inadequate VA examination, and to provide a new opinion on the nature and etiology of any right hand disability.

The Board denied service connection for a right wrist disability and seasonal allergies, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease that resulted in current disabilities.,Service connection was also dismissed for high cholesterol as the Veteran withdrew his claim after certification to the Board.

The Veteran's increased ratings claims have been denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's postoperative residuals from the March 23, 2011 right wrist fusion surgery required continued convalescence for at least six months and his temporary total disability rating was extended through September 30, 2011.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and obtaining records from Vocational Rehabilitation.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, degenerative joint disease, bilateral hearing loss, COPD, carpal tunnel syndromes, and kidney failure. The evidence submitted since the final decisions raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left wrist burn scar is related to service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The right wrist burn scar issue remains pending as it requires a new examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing proper notice of TDIU claims.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension, effective from the date of the claim. The Veteran's hypertension is related to her service-connected PTSD.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic disability for the back or CTS since service, and thus denied both claims.

The Board denied service connection for a left wrist disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to his service-connected ganglion cyst and is more likely due to an injury after service.

The Board has granted service connection for the residuals of a right Achilles tendon injury and reopened the claim for service connection for a left wrist disability. The Veteran's right ankle disability is considered to be related to his inservice injury, while the left wrist disability may also be linked to an in-service injury.

The Board finds that the Veteran's right wrist pain is presumed to be related to his service in Southwest Asia and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is considered a subsequent manifestation of his already service-connected lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with osteoarthritis.