Wrist & hand decisions — 2009

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a spine examination and an examination of his wrists to determine the current severity of his service-connected lumbar spine disability and the etiology of his bilateral wrist CTS.

The Veteran's conditions are service-connected, but the evidence does not show he is in need of regular aid and attendance or permanently housebound.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination regarding the Veteran's bilateral wrist disability and neck disability. The issues of service connection are still pending.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and sleep apnea are granted. The claim of residuals of a right ankle injury is reopened but the issue remains pending as new evidence has been submitted.

The Veteran's left wrist ganglionectomy scar, low back strain with mechanical low back pain and an enlarged L5 transverse process from October 30, 2002, and his left eye pterygium from September 30, 2002 were all denied as the conditions did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right knee and bilateral hand disorders are not service-connected, as they do not meet the criteria for service connection under direct service connection provisions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA outpatient treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The maximum schedular rating has already been assigned for the left hand disability, and no other issues meet the criteria for higher initial ratings.

The Veteran's left carpal tunnel syndrome is service-connected and his right knee disabilities are currently evaluated at 20 percent. The Board finds that higher ratings are not warranted.

The Veteran's right hand disability is not considered to be a result of VA medical treatment, and the Board finds no additional disability resulting from the June 2001 carpal tunnel surgery.

The Veteran's right carpal tunnel syndrome is manifested by symptoms of numbness and tingling in the first three fingers of the hand, pain, atrophy of the thenar eminence, and significantly reduced grip strength. The schedular criteria are adequate to reflect his disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU based on current disability ratings. A new examination is needed to assess the impact of his service-connected conditions on his employability.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that the condition is directly related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a left wrist injury is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence, specifically a VA examination with range of motion testing using a goniometer.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left hip disability or bilateral CTS, and thus service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Veteran's left knee disorder and left upper extremity median nerve neuropathy were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service, are not proximately due to or the result of a service-connected disease or injury, and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome does not warrant a higher rating, and thus denied his claim for restoration of disability ratings.

The Board found that the Veteran did not have a chronic injury to his left wrist or right shoulder during service and there is no evidence of continuity of symptoms. Therefore, the claims for service connection for these disabilities are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left carpal tunnel syndrome is not incurred or aggravated during military service and denied her claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for a hyperextended left wrist and residuals of a punctured lung are granted as direct service connection is established.