Wrist & hand decisions — 2011

The Veteran's claim for service connection for multiple scars, including those on the forehead, right thumb, right wrist, right lower abdomen, and bilateral legs, is being remanded due to a lack of records from D.C. General Hospital.

The Board denied service connection for low back, right wrist, and right elbow disabilities, as well as a higher rating for the service-connected right ankle disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right wrist disability and for reopening his claim of service connection for a right knee disability as secondary to a service-connected left knee disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's left wrist disability is rated at 10 percent, and his service-connected right hip scar does not warrant a compensable rating. The Board denied the claims for increased ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for an updated VA examination to determine if his September 2005 right cubital tunnel syndrome surgery was related to his service-connected right wrist pain, status-post ganglion cyst excision. The examiner will also assess whether the surgery required convalescence for 30 days or more.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including diabetes mellitus and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board grants a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is causally related to his military service and granted service connection for this condition. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including PTSD and depression, remains pending as it was not addressed in the decision.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability, chronic sinusitis, headaches, a right inguinal hernia, and hemorrhoids. The remaining issues have been remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left wrist, left shoulder, and right shoulder disorders. The Board found no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions, and there was insufficient competent medical evidence linking any current disabilities to service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for myofascial pain syndrome of the right face was denied. The claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy was not reopened due to lack of new and material evidence. Service connection was also denied for neuromuscular transmission defect, bursitis, spurs in both knees, and carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low spine disability and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, as new and material evidence was not received to reopen these previously denied claims. The claim for increased ratings for knee disabilities remains pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, may not be presumed to have been incurred in active service, and was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased disability ratings have been dismissed due to the appellant withdrawing his appeals.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for psychiatric disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and increased ratings for psoriasis and left ring finger disability. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA's schedular criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected right elbow and left wrist fractures have been rated at 10 percent each since April 18, 2005.

The Board has denied the reopening of claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that no new and material evidence was submitted to support these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's GERD, CTS of the left wrist, DJD of the 1st MTP joints of both feet, and bilateral thumb DJD at the 1st carpometacarpal (CMC) joint are all attributable to her period of service.

The Veteran's service-connected mid-back disability is rated at 40 percent effective September 23, 2003. The condition is manifested by Harrington rods between T1 and T7 as well as pain to include pain at the extremes of motion.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disability is not related to his service, but a current wrist disability may be due to his service-connected PTSD. His gastrointestinal disability may be due to his service-connected right hip and sacroiliac joint disabilities.,The Veteran has a current bilateral wrist disability that is secondary to his service-connected PTSD with depressive disorder.