Wrist & hand decisions — 2008

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for her left wrist disability, finding that the schedular criteria did not meet or nearly approximate the criteria for a higher initial rating.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, right ear hearing loss, and left ear hearing loss due to lack of evidence supporting these conditions or their relationship to service. The examiner opined that the veteran's current complaints are more likely related to post-service occupational activities.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the veteran, and it is not clear if service connection for right wrist disorder or depressive disorder will be granted.

The veteran's appeals for service connection and higher ratings have been withdrawn. The Board has also found that the veteran sustained a fracture of his right fifth toe in service, which is now considered service-connected.

The VA determined that the veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome was not caused by his military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ankle and wrist disabilities have been rated appropriately, with no need for further increased ratings.

The veteran's claims for service connection were granted, and he was assigned a 40% rating effective from November 15, 1995. The issue of an increased rating remains pending.

The Board found that the veteran's left eye disorder and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a connection between these conditions and his military service.

The veteran has withdrawn his appeal regarding the higher ratings for carpal tunnel syndrome, left and right wrists, secondary to diabetes mellitus. As a result, the Board does not have jurisdiction to review these issues.

The Board denied a claim for an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected right wrist fracture, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to lack of ankylosis and functional impairment.

The veteran's appeal for increased ratings was denied. The Board found that the left wrist disability warranted a 10 percent rating, and his gastrointestinal issues were not service-connected.

The Board found that the appellant did not develop any additional disability of his left wrist, neck or back as a result of VA surgical treatment. The surgeries were deemed to be appropriate and there was no evidence of negligence on the part of VA.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of a GSW to the right shoulder do not warrant a rating in excess of 40 percent, as they are manifested by decreased range of motion and some fatigability after repeated use with heavy lifting. The veteran's service-connected right median nerve entrapment at the carpal tunnel is also rated at its maximum allowable under the applicable rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to the need for additional examinations and development of his medical records.

The Board denied an increased rating for the left wrist scar and a separate rating for limitation of motion, but granted a 10 percent rating effective from July 2003. The claimant's symptoms are attributed to his service-connected laceration.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to determine the severity of the veteran's service-connected conditions.

The veteran's employment as a Director in Instructional Programs has been deemed sufficient to meet his rehabilitation goals, and he is therefore considered rehabilitated.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's right wrist disability, finding that it did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent. The issue of service connection for a chronic back disability was also addressed separately.

The Board denied service connection for insomnia and right carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active duty for training. The cervical spine strain was granted as service-connected.,For the initial rating claim, the Board found no evidence of incapacitating episodes or neurological abnormalities to warrant a higher than 10 percent rating.

The Board found no evidence of in-service injury or disease that could be linked to the veteran's current left shoulder, neck, and bilateral wrist disabilities. As such, service connection for these conditions was denied.