Wrist & hand decisions — 2007

The VA Board found that the veteran's disabilities of the right elbow, wrist, and hand were not incurred in or aggravated by service and are not proximately due to his service-connected capsulitis, right shoulder, status post surgery.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right wrist disorder and left shoulder disorder, finding that there is no current disability of either condition. The examiner did not address whether any aggravation of these conditions by service-connected disabilities occurred.

The veteran's right wrist disability, characterized by limited and painful motion approximating favorable ankylosis with limitation of dorsiflexion to between 20 and 30 degrees, is rated at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have hearing loss, tinnitus, or carpal tunnel syndrome that is related to his military service. The preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for involuntary bilateral nystagmus and right ear Eustachian tube dysfunction, but denied service connection for tendonitis of the right wrist.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to procedural issues, including the need for VCAA-compliant notice and additional development.

The Board has determined that there is no current diagnosis of PTSD or bilateral wrist arthritis, and therefore service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to inadequate VCAA notice, and further development is required.

The veteran's right wrist disability is rated at 50 percent, and his left wrist and psychiatric disorders are not service-connected.

The veteran's service treatment records do not provide evidence of chronic hand, thumb, or wrist conditions. The VA examination did not identify any current disabilities related to these issues.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a VA neurology examination and consideration of all submitted evidence.

The Board has denied all claims for service connection as the evidence does not establish a nexus between any of the claimed conditions and service.

The veteran's claim for a separate compensable rating for left carpal tunnel syndrome is being remanded due to the need for clarification of the manifestations attributable to residuals of injury to the anterior interosseus nerve versus left carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure all relevant evidence is considered in the decision on the veteran's claims for service connection.

The veteran's appeal involves claims for increased ratings for traumatic arthritis of the right wrist and ankle, as well as a TDIU claim. The case is being remanded to obtain additional medical examinations and records.

The veteran's claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist, a temporary total evaluation based on convalescence required as a result of surgery in May 2001, and an increased disability rating for residuals of a left knee injury are all denied.

The VA determined that the veteran is not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, specifically his right hand and shoulder injuries. The evidence did not support a finding of TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current left wrist disability, diagnosed as Kienböck's disease, had its onset during active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities of the left wrist and index finger have been granted with initial ratings of 10 percent each, effective November 21, 2001. The appeal for earlier effective dates and total disability based on individual unemployability was denied.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected Kienböck's disease of the right wrist does not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent, as there was no evidence of ankylosis or other exceptional circumstances.