Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected right wrist strain has been rated as 10 percent disabling since March 14, 2007. The condition is manifested by decreased manual dexterity, problems with lifting and carrying, decreased strength in the upper extremity, and pain.

The Veteran's service-connected right hand disability, rated at 30 percent, does not meet the criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities as it is not shown that he is unemployable solely due to this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an opinion on whether the Veteran's right wrist and right upper arm disabilities are aggravated by his service-connected residuals of fracture of the second right metacarpal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been withdrawn, and the claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied as there is no legal basis for assignment of any earlier effective date.

The Veteran's physical impairment due to his nonservice-connected conditions requires care or assistance on a regular basis to protect himself from the hazards of daily environment, and the Board has determined that he meets the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's hypertension was not incurred or aggravated by service. The bilateral shoulder, elbow, wrist, and finger disorders are not related to service. The fatigue is not related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left ankle, right wrist, and left great toe disorders are not related to service. The VA examiner opined that there is no direct link between these conditions and her military service.

The Board denied an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for nonunion of the right (dominant) scaphoid wrist, status post Russe procedure with left iliac bone graft and a right scaphoid fusion, with secondary arthritic changes.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to be secondary to his service-connected nasal trauma. The Board also finds that the Veteran meets the criteria for a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a stomach disability, a compensable rating for right wrist arthralgia before December 27, 2012, and an increased rating for GAD and MDD after that date. The Board found no evidence linking any current stomach or wrist conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine has been granted.,Service connection for a left knee disability has been established.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of private medical expenses is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence and medical opinions regarding whether emergency treatment was necessary, if other VA facilities were available, and if the Veteran could have been safely transferred from a non-VA facility.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The initial rating assigned for CTS, right upper extremity, was found to be appropriate at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to the Veteran's inability to travel to a VA medical center. The claims of service connection for left wrist disability and bilateral hip condition are being reviewed.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right wrist disability, as the submitted evidence does not relate to an unestablished fact necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for headaches, respiratory disability, skin disability, and neck disability based on the Veteran's Persian Gulf War service. The right ear pain claim was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was granted effective October 17, 2012. The effective date is based on the most recent VA examination conducted on that day.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee and right ankle disorders, finding that current disabilities are of service onset or attributable to military service. The remaining issues remain on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims on a direct basis.

The Veteran's right thumb and wrist disabilities have been rated at 10 percent each since the appeal began, with no higher ratings warranted based on current evidence.