Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for further explanation of the attorney fee award, as the AOJ failed to provide a detailed basis for the $2,590.60 in attorney fees awarded.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain an examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed left wrist disorder, including whether it is as least as likely as not that the disability was sustained during service or is etiologically related to an injury or illness sustained by the Veteran during his active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right wrist/hand disorders and associated residuals.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete medical records and the need for updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected right wrist conditions have not met the criteria for higher ratings, with his degenerative joint disease rated at 10 percent and neuritis rated at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left hip osteopenia had its onset during service and is therefore granted service connection. The bilateral wrist disorder and right hip disorder are not shown to have their onset during service, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's right hand disorder is not service-connected as there is no evidence of a current disability apart from the already compensated service-connected right wrist tenosynovitis.,Hypertension was not manifested during active service and is not related to service. The Board finds that hypertension did not manifest within one year after separation from the first period of active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an outstanding EMG report from a previous examination. The Veteran's claim for service connection is pending and will be reviewed after obtaining the missing medical records.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right thumb and index finger, as well as his right wrist condition, are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's left wrist disability has been rated at 10 percent since December 9, 2008. The Board found that the evidence supports a higher rating but not in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left carpal tunnel syndromes do not warrant ratings in excess of 30 percent or 20 percent, respectively. The symptoms are characterized by intermittent numbness, paresthesia, decreased grip strength, and pain radiating to the elbows and shoulders.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral wrists, including carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), tenosynovitis of the right wrist and triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) tear with ganglion cyst of the right wrist is being remanded due to additional development needed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a rescheduled hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's left hand disability, including crush injuries to the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd digits, is rated at 10 percent each. A separate noncompensable rating for a scar on the 2nd digit of the left hand has also been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including panic disorder and stress urinary incontinence, have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed neurological disability, and therefore, service connection for her claimed left wrist disorder is denied.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions and evidence regarding the Veteran's left arm, wrist, and hand disability. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination of his right wrist disability, as well as issuance of a Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Board has remanded the case due to a scheduling error for a videoconference hearing. The Veteran's address was not updated, and she did not appear for her scheduled hearing.

The Veteran is seeking compensation benefits under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for additional right wrist disability due to VA surgical treatment in June 2010 at the VAMC in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Board has determined that further development is needed and remands the case.