Wrist & hand decisions — 2009

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unemployable, and the Board has granted a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's headaches, including migraines, were found to be incurred in active service. The case of bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and a bilateral shoulder disorder is pending.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a low back disability, but finds that additional development is necessary regarding the underlying service connection claim.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hand and wrist disability remains denied as new and material evidence has not been received.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional private treatment records from Dr. V.S.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection of a skin disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and memory loss due to undiagnosed illness. As such, these claims are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is secondary to his service-connected left knee disorder, and thus grants service connection for this condition. However, the Board finds no evidence linking the Veteran's ganglion cysts or bilateral shoulder disorders to service or any service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee disability was incurred in active service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for initial compensable disability evaluations for multiple superficial retained shell fragments involving the bilateral knee areas, thoracic spine area, and left arm and wrist areas was denied. The VA found no residual scarring or functional impairment from these retained shrapnel fragments.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a chronic left hand disability in service and his current carpal tunnel syndrome is not related to any in-service condition. For the foot issue, the VA examiner opined that the plantar fasciitis is not likely related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the right wrist and left wrist disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support service connection for the claimed conditions, and therefore denied all claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's right wrist and hand disability is not related to his period of service or any aspect thereof, including his service-connected left hand disability status post fifth finger resection. The preponderance of evidence did not support a finding of TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left wrist disability, right thumb disability, and left tibialis muscle disability were granted. The initial rating assigned was a compensable rating for each condition.

The Board found no medical evidence linking the Veteran's current right wrist fracture residuals to his service-connected lumbar strain residuals, and thus denied secondary service connection.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable evaluation under 38 C.F.R. § 3.324 is denied as he currently has a compensable disability rating for PTSD, and the other service-connected disabilities are non-compensable.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine as secondary to a service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has granted a 10 percent initial rating for the Veteran's right wrist fracture, effective from March 15, 2007.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining his Social Security Administration records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.