Wrist & hand decisions — 2007

The Board granted service connection for bilateral patellofemoral syndrome with tendonitis and residuals of a left wrist fracture, both rated at 10 percent. The veteran's knee disability is rated based on slight impairment, while his wrist disability remains at the maximum rating due to limitation of motion.

The veteran's prostate cancer and left wrist arthritis were not found to be related to his military service, leading to a denial of the claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for a right wrist non-union fracture, and it is granted as the pre-existing condition did not worsen during service.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder due to lack of evidence linking her current condition to service. The issue of service connection for a bilateral wrist disability is pending and will be addressed after further development.

The Board has granted service connection for scars of the right index finger and left ring finger, but denied service connection for neck disability and upper back disability.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for proper consideration of her TDIU claim, including a VA examination and additional development of her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected right wrist disability does not warrant an increased rating, and his claim for service connection of a left wrist disability is denied as it is not proximately due to or the result of his service-connected right wrist disability.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, finding no evidence linking these conditions to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to new evidence received and outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the claims for an increase in evaluation for residuals of a fracture of the left wrist and GERD, thus denying both claims.

The Board has determined that the appellant's right hand injury in 1996 did not result in residuals, but her carpal tunnel syndrome is not service-connected as it pre-existed and was aggravated by non-service-related factors.

The veteran's service-connected left wrist fracture with post-traumatic arthritis is currently rated at 20 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating as there is no objective finding of nonunion in the lower half of the radius or ankylosis.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The right wrist condition was rated at the maximum allowable under VA guidelines, while other issues remained unresolved.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for carpal tunnel syndrome of both hands, finding that the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 20 percent for the left hand or 30 percent for the right hand.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current low back disability and right upper extremity injury are not service-connected, as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current bilateral feet or wrists disability related to his military service, and there is no evidence of a left knee disability related to his military service. As such, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Board found that the veteran's DJD of the left wrist and left hand disability were not caused by his service-connected left elbow disability or his active military service, and therefore denied both claims.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for VA examinations, Social Security Administration records, and proper notice under Dingess v. Nicholson.

The veteran's severe joint pain, including neurological disability involving the wrists, elbows, shoulders, and lower extremities, was not determined to be caused by VA medical treatment.