Wrist & hand decisions — 2009

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection was denied. The Board found that the Veteran's atrophy of the left arm did not meet criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent, his carpal tunnel syndrome is not service connected, and his uveitis does not warrant an increase in disability rating.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been rated at 10 percent for instability and arthritis. The current rating is denied as the Veteran does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other factors.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and a psychiatric disorder. The decision also addressed other issues such as increased ratings for certain disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left wrist disability and service connection for a right wrist disability and depression, finding that there was no evidence of ankylosis or other disabling conditions warranting higher evaluations.

The Veteran's service-connected right wrist disability is currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The evidence is at least in equipoise, suggesting that the Veteran's left wrist disorder is secondary to falls related to his service-connected radiculopathy of the lower extremities.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected left wrist disability is rated at 30 percent, and the appeal for increased ratings of his right and left wrist disabilities as well as his right and left elbow disabilities has been granted.

The Veteran's claim is being remanded for additional development to determine the extent of his right wrist disability and whether he should be assigned a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right hand injury, carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist, and pelvic fracture of the right side were denied as there is no evidence of ankylosis or limitation of motion that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU is granted, with the effective date set at October 25, 2002.

The Board found no evidence of right brachial plexopathy or right carpal tunnel syndrome during service and denied the claims for these conditions.,For hepatitis C, the Board noted that it was first diagnosed in 2004, 33 years after service. The Veteran claimed exposure to shots by airgun during basic training as a cause of his condition. However, the VA examiner could not pinpoint when the Veteran contracted hepatitis C and denied the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not preclude him from obtaining and retaining all forms of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and work experience.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the appellant's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right wrist disability, which is now considered in light of all the evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected left wrist disability is rated at a 20 percent disability level for favorable ankylosis in 20 to 30 degrees of dorsiflexion. After considering the benefit of doubt, the Board finds that the Veteran's symptoms more closely approximate the criteria for a 30 percent disability rating.

The Board has determined that further action is required to obtain the Veteran's service treatment records from his first period of active duty. Additionally, VA examinations are needed for fatigue, vertigo, bilateral foot/ankle condition, bilateral hand/wrist/forearm condition, and seborrheic dermatitis due to their complexity and the need for medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and an increased evaluation for his service-connected depression. The VA examiner found that the Veteran's symptoms did not manifest until after a period of service during which he was barred from receiving VA benefits.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic back disorder, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and bilateral ankle disability due to lack of competent evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure to appear at a scheduled video conference hearing. The claim for increased ratings will be addressed after scheduling another hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's post surgical residuals of carpal tunnel syndrome of the left hand are the result of injury in service and grants service connection for this condition.