Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to an inadequate VA examination and the need to consider the Veteran's lay assertions of in-service wrist pain.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development of his right wrist disability, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, as well as an appropriate VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a right shoulder injury and left wrist fracture residuals have not been found to warrant a compensable rating during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for a ganglion cyst of the dorsal aspect of the left wrist was granted, but only up to May 11, 2015. The disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board denied service connection for a left wrist disability and low back disability, finding no evidence of in-service injury or disease that could be linked to the current conditions. The Veteran's claim for low back disability is being remanded for additional development.

The Board found no evidence to support a claim of additional disability resulting from VA care, and thus denied the Veteran's request for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including consideration of a TDIU claim and potential extra-schedular evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his conditions did not warrant higher evaluations or additional benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's arthralgia is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The claim for secondary service connection is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for left wrist fracture residuals, Peyronie's Disease, and urinary incontinence as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities. The claim of entitlement to service connection for depression was reopened due to new evidence received since the last final denial.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, securing his VA vocational rehabilitation file, and providing an advisory opinion from a VA Vocational Rehabilitation Division counselor regarding the effect of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's left wrist disability, characterized by painful motion and limited range of motion, warrants a 10 percent rating from February 1, 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hand and wrist condition, to include carpal tunnel syndrome, is not etiologically related to his active duty service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that the current condition is linked to his military service.

The Veteran's multiple non-service-connected disabilities, including hernias with progression to an intestinal fistula and arthritis of multiple joints, render her helpless or so nearly helpless that she requires the regular aid and attendance of another person for special monthly pension purposes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and service personnel records. The Veteran also needs a new examination for his right hip and left wrist disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral knee, wrist (CTS), and gastrointestinal disorders are found to be related to service. The Board grants these claims.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is rated at 10 percent, and his low back disability prior to October 24, 2014, was also rated at 10 percent. From October 24, 2014, the rating for his low back disability has been increased to 40 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her low back disability and left wrist CTS were denied by the Board, as there was no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes that would warrant higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a diagnosed bilateral ankle disability, cervical spine disability, gastrointestinal (GI) disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), or frostbite of the toes during service or within one year of separation. Therefore, these claims are denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder and bilateral wrist disorder, finding that there is no evidence of such conditions during or since service.