Wrist & hand decisions — 2009

The Veteran's left wrist disability, which resulted from a fracture sustained in service, is currently manifested by subjective complaints only. The VA examiner found no evidence of post-traumatic bony changes or osteoarthritic changes related to the in-service injury and concluded that the current symptoms are not attributable to the in-service injury.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not, singly or in combination, preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not of such severity as to render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment at any time during the period relevant to this appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to inadequate notice and the need for a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The Board finds that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of each upper extremity was incurred during his active service due to repetitive motion injuries. Therefore, service connection for bilateral CTS is granted.

The Board found that the appellant's bilateral wrist disability is unrelated to service and denied her claim.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to his military service, and the Board finds that he has established service connection for this condition. The left wrist disability claim remains pending as there are conflicting opinions regarding its onset.

The Veteran is granted an increased evaluation of 10 percent for left wrist SFW residuals prior to October 24, 2002. Separate evaluations are assigned for ulnar nerve injury and muscle injuries in the left forearm and hand. The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for left wrist SFW residuals on or after October 24, 2002 is denied.

The Veteran's left wrist disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling due to pain, swelling, stiffness, and limited motion. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or functional impairment.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of head trauma. However, the claims were denied as there is no medical evidence showing a current disability related to her service.

The Veteran's left wrist ganglion cyst is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that it does not warrant a higher rating based on current evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeals for all issues.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected left wrist sprain did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under Diagnostic Code 5215, and thus denied his claim.

The Board has determined that the appellant's right wrist disability, including degenerative joint disease, residuals of a right scaphoid fracture, tendinitis, pseudoarthrosis, and carpal tunnel syndrome, was not incurred in or aggravated by service. The arthritis or organic disease of the nervous system may not be presumed to have been incurred during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bursitis of the left wrist with arthritic erosion, bursitis of the right wrist, bursitis of the knees, and bursitis of the hips are related to service. As such, these claims for service connection have been granted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection of various conditions have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeal regarding his right wrist disorder. The Board found no evidence of a current sleep disorder and thus denied service connection for this condition.

The Veteran is seeking an increased evaluation for his service-connected residuals of gunshot wound to the left wrist with scaphoid fracture and degenerative changes. The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated treatment records, conduct additional examinations, and determine the current severity of the Veteran's condition.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased evaluations of his cervical spine, lumbar spine, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome disabilities.

The Veteran's right wrist fracture residuals do not warrant a compensable rating. His bronchial asthma was first noted in service and is presumed to have existed prior to enlistment, thus precluding service connection. The claim for gastrointestinal disorder reopening is denied as no new evidence has been submitted that would reopen the previously denied claim.