Wrist & hand decisions — 2010

The Board found that the Veteran's right and left carpal tunnel syndromes were not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may service incurrence be presumed. As a result, the claims for service connection for these conditions were denied.

The Veteran's claim for an initial increased rating for his right wrist disability from April 12, 2007 to August 7, 2008 was denied as the evidence did not show that the condition warranted a higher rating. Since October 1, 2008, the Veteran's right wrist disability has been rated at 30 percent disabling.

The Veteran's low back, respiratory, memory loss, and joint pain conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by service.,Service connection was denied for all claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board found no new evidence to reopen the claim of segmental dysfunction, cervical spine.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the alcohol dependence claim had no legal merit, while the major depressive disorder, left wrist disability, right ankle degenerative joint disease, and left ankle degenerative joint disease claims were not supported by evidence of a direct or secondary service connection.

The Veteran's skin disability and left wrist ganglion disability are rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations, warranting a 60 percent evaluation for his skin disability and no rating for his left wrist ganglion.

Service connection is granted for residuals of carpal tunnel release to the right wrist. Service connection is denied for left wrist disorder and left leg disorder.,The Veteran was diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome in June 2003, which led to a carpal tunnel release procedure in December 2003. His left wrist disorder, characterized as posttraumatic paresthesias, has not been linked to service.

The Veteran's bilateral arm and hand disorders are not service-connected, as there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or a pre-existing condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right wrist disability, left wrist disability, and coccygodynia with fracture of the sacral coccygeal joint were denied as there was no evidence to support higher evaluations.

The Veteran's claims were denied due to lack of new and material evidence for his service connection claims for right wrist, neck, low back, and left shoulder conditions. His headaches and left wrist condition were granted a 10% disability rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the Veteran's service connection claims, including obtaining relevant treatment records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's left wrist disability has been evaluated at the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent since September 2, 2003. The Board found that a higher rating is not warranted based on the clinical evidence and the current range of motion.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a bilateral wrist disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, left leg disability, left ankle disability, and blastocystis nominis. The claim for service connection for a bilateral knee disability is not being reopened.

The Veteran's service-connected impairment of digital nerves, residuals of surgery to the right wrist, is rated at 20 percent. The arthritis and CTS of the right wrist are also service connected.

The Board has granted service connection for tendonitis and carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist, as well as strain and tendonitis of the right shoulder. The claims are based on direct service connection due to in-service injuries.

The Board denied an increased rating for right carpal tunnel syndrome and remanded the claim for referral to the Director of Compensation and Pension Service (Director) for consideration of entitlement to an extraschedular rating. The Director considered and denied the extraschedular rating, and the case has been returned to the Board.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for certification for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only due to lack of loss of use of feet, hands, or vision. The Veteran is also denied TDIU as his combined disability rating does not meet the minimum schedular requirements.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of any current disabilities related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran has a current right wrist disability and its relationship to active duty service.