Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's low back disability is rated at 40 percent, effective May 1, 2008. His right wrist fracture is rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a finding of carpal tunnel syndrome in the Veteran's service or at any time thereafter, and thus denied her claims for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current chronic right shoulder disability and denied her claim for service connection. The issue of entitlement to service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome is addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim and granted service connection for post-operative right scapholunate ligament tear residuals, finding that the evidence raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right lower back scar, left eyebrow scar, bilateral wrist disorder, pseudofolliculitis (razor bumps), and bilateral knee disorder have been resolved as the AOJ granted these claims in October 2009. As such, there is no longer an issue of fact or law before the Board pertaining to these claims.

The Board is remanding the case for additional development to clarify a previous medical opinion and consider new evidence, including a service treatment record from January 1981.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, finding that the Veteran's lumbar strain and lumbar disc disease with herniation at L4-L5 had its onset in service. Service connection was denied for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete medical history and lay evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral wrist pain during service.

The Veteran's left wrist fracture with traumatic arthritis has been rated at 70 percent since May 1, 2006. The Board denied a higher rating as the disability does not meet criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits is being remanded due to insufficient evidence of permanent and total disability from non-service connected conditions. Additional records, including SSA disability benefit information and VA outpatient treatment records, are needed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including her right knee replacement and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, have made her unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted the TDIU claim as she meets the schedular criteria under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a).

The Veteran's service-connected right wrist disability is rated at 30 percent disabling. The RO granted a higher rating of 30 percent for the period since December 11, 2007.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for further examination and consideration of his employability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The issues of new and material evidence to reopen certain claims related to herbicide exposure are also addressed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a nervous system disorder and a circulatory disorder, finding that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active service.

The RO denied increased ratings for the appellant's right shoulder, wrist, knee and ankle disabilities.,The evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected left wrist strain with ulna impaction is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum available under Diagnostic Code 5215. The claim for a higher evaluation is denied.

The Veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities do not render him so helpless as to need regular aid and attendance in the activities of daily living, thus denying his claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hepatitis C, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The initial compensable evaluation for service-connected pes planus is also being remanded.