Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's service connection claim for a left shoulder disorder, as well as his claims for increased evaluations of multiple shell fragment wound scars on various parts of the body, were granted. The effective date is February 24, 2000.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining SSA disability records and ensuring compliance with prior remand directives. The TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his current level of disability does not warrant an increase in the assigned rating.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed due to his failure to respond to VA requests for medical records and authorization forms, which resulted in the abandonment of these claims.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is found to be etiologically related to service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The left wrist fracture has been service connected, but the Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation remains pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected status post surgical removal of the uterus and both ovaries, sinusitis, and current residuals of an in-service fracture of the right wrist. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions have worsened during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. 1151 is being remanded due to the need for additional information regarding the surgery performed on his left wrist.

The Veteran's left wrist disability is manifested by limitation of motion and painful motion, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it does not include malunion, nonunion, loss of bone substance, marked deformity, or ankylosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral elbow, wrist, hand, and ankle disabilities are at least as likely as not due to his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral wrist arthritis is related to his service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of ankylosis in the left wrist, no manifestations of hypertension or diabetes to a degree of 10 percent within one year post-service, and insufficient continuity of symptoms since service for these conditions. The low back disability was not shown in service, did not manifest to a degree of 10 percent or more within one year from separation, and is not otherwise related to service. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy and heart condition claims were denied as there is no evidence of current diagnoses.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected right wrist disability is being remanded due to inadequate examination and the need for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine, left wrist, and musculoskeletal disabilities, as well as PUD secondary to a back disability. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to active service or any event therein.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his peripheral neuropathy, carpal tunnel syndrome, erectile dysfunction, and hypertension.

The Veteran's appeal involves a rating for her left wrist condition and service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical records, including private treatment records and SSI disability benefits file. A VA examination will be scheduled to assess the severity of her left wrist condition and determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran has withdrawn all his appeals, stating that he is satisfied with the recent rating/award letter.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities prior to May 9, 2011, finding that his service-connected conditions did not render him unemployable.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right wrist disability, diagnosed as arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), did not manifest in service or to a compensable degree within the first post-service year, nor is it otherwise etiologically related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been withdrawn. The remaining issues are remanded for further development and readjudication.