Wrist & hand decisions — 2009

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbosacral strain and limitation of motion in the right wrist were denied as there is no medical evidence that she currently suffers from these disabilities, nor is there evidence linking them to her active service.

The Veteran's cyst on the left wrist is not service-connected, and his right shoulder disability has been rated at 30 percent since November 27, 2002.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right wrist disorders, left knee disorder, and sinusitis/pharyngitis. Service connection was denied for allergies, fatigue, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The VA determined that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher disability rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death, adenocarcinoma of the omentum, was not caused by a service-connected condition or related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, which included carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity, left ulnar neuropathy, and fracture of the left humerus with traumatic arthritis, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board found that his combined rating qualified for consideration of a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for muscle and joint pain due to an undiagnosed illness is denied as there are no diagnosed illnesses found.,Service connection for bilateral elbow tendinitis is denied as the condition was not incurred during active duty.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral wrist disability. The Board finds it reasonable to conclude that the Veteran currently has a bilateral wrist disorder due to an event or incident of her period of active service, and therefore grants service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of all pertinent criteria, including potential separate ratings for different components of the service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for residuals of a left wrist fracture with traumatic arthritis was denied. The initial rating of 10 percent from January 22, 2004 to May 2, 2005 is maintained as the evidence does not support an increase in disability level.

The Board has granted service connection for plantar warts on the right foot and denied service connection for residuals of right wrist surgery. The Veteran's claim to reopen his arthritis in both feet was also granted.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a present right wrist disability related to service, nor does she have a right wrist disability that is proximately due to, the result of or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left wrist and neurological disability of the left upper extremity below the elbow are not related to his service-connected left elbow disability, and thus denied service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's bilateral leg disorder and left wrist disability were not incurred or aggravated by service, and the preponderance of evidence is against a higher initial evaluation for his left wrist disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected left wrist and left leg disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of outstanding VA medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his military service or any exposure to ionizing radiation. As such, the claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome and generalized sensory neuropathy are service-connected, with no presumption or secondary theory of connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected cervical spine disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and right foot injury were denied by the Board.

The Veteran's appeals regarding earlier effective dates for service connection and compensation were denied. The initial rating for sleep apnea was also denied.