Wrist & hand decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), arthritis, left wrist sprain, and lumbar strain have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD in accordance with VA regulations and there is no current diagnosis of PTSD. The preponderance of evidence is against a finding of service connection for any psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests to reopen his service connection claims for left wrist and right shoulder impairments, finding that no new and material evidence was received.

The Veteran's right wrist degenerative joint disease is found to be related to service. The Board finds no evidence of a neck injury or disability during service, and the VA examiner opined that arthritis of the cervical spine was not likely caused by an in-service incident.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions and there is no evidence linking these conditions to service. As a result, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome is not related to her military service or a service-connected disorder, and thus denied her claim for service connection. The criteria for specially adapted housing were also not met due to the absence of loss or loss of use of both upper extremities as to preclude locomotion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of right ankle or wrist disorders, and thus service connection cannot be granted for these conditions. The claim for sinusitis is also denied.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected coccydynia does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, and her claims for service connection for left wrist ganglion cyst, keratosis pilaris, and post concussion headaches have been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right wrist disability, diagnosed as DeQuervain's tenosynovitis, is service-connected.

The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand is rated at 30 percent, effective July 10, 2006. Service connection for PTSD has been granted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right wrist disability, finding that there is evidence of an in-service injury and current diagnosis linking the condition to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist is being remanded due to inadequate examination and inextricably intertwined issue of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's service connection claim for tendinopathy of the right wrist is granted as his condition was incurred in active service.

The Veteran's left wrist condition is rated at 30 percent, effective October 1, 2006. His combined rating for all service-connected disabilities remains at 70 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability is considered to be the primary cause of his cervical spine disability. The Board finds that the Veteran's current cervical spine disability is related to his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hand, wrist, and right shoulder disabilities were denied as the evidence did not show a chronic disability related to his active duty.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left wrist disability is related to his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity and manifestations of his service-connected left wrist crepitus.