Wrist & hand decisions — 2011

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions and issues related to service connection, with some claims reopened due to new evidence. The case is being remanded for further action.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral wrist and hand disorder is not related to her military service, including any chemical exposures during her deployment in Southwest Asia. The preexisting condition was not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the initial compensable evaluation for costochondritis was also denied. The Board found no evidence of a right arm condition or right wrist sprain during service or post-service, and concluded that any current symptoms are not related to service.

The Veteran's right knee disability with traumatic arthritis has been rated as 10 percent disabling. From February 28, 2008 to August 22, 2010, the Veteran was granted a separate evaluation of 20 percent for limitation of flexion of his service-connected right knee. The claim for degenerative joint disease (degenerative changes) of the left wrist has been denied as not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran has established entitlement to service connection for residuals of a right shoulder sprain, but not for any other claimed conditions. The Board finds that the evidence does not support the existence of current disabilities related to his reported injuries in Iraq.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, knee disorders, shoulder disorders, elbow disorders, wrist and hand disorders, low back disorder, right ankle disorder, and TMJ (chronic pain), were denied as these conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is denied as a matter of law because the injury occurred during his employment with VA, not in the course of any VA medical care or treatment.

The Veteran's claim for a temporary total rating based on convalescence from a June 2007 left wrist ganglionectomy is denied as the condition was not service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left wrist disability does not warrant a rating in excess of the current 10 percent assigned for his service-connected left wrist fracture.

The Board has received notification that the appellant wishes to withdraw their appeal, leading to its dismissal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for nerve damage of the left wrist, including as secondary to residuals and fracture of the left wrist, is being remanded due to conflicting examination findings and need for additional medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bronchospasms is granted, and he is assigned a noncompensable evaluation for his right wrist tendonitis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right wrist disability does not warrant an evaluation in excess of 10 percent, as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on functional impairment or other factors.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the threshold percentage requirements for TDIU, as his total combined disability rating is only 70 percent. The evidence does not support a finding of unemployability due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied her claim. The Board also determined that there is no evidence of carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist being related to service.

The Veteran's claims for higher evaluations of his residuals of a fracture of the left radius and ulna with arthritis, as well as his radial neuropathy, were denied. His claim for TDIU was remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation of his right fourth metacarpal disability was granted, and he is now receiving the full benefit. The claims for hepatitis C and back disorder are pending as they have been reopened due to new evidence. Service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected carpal tunnel syndrome of the left and right hands has been rated at 10 percent since December 10, 2009. The disability is characterized by muscle weakness and decreased sensation but does not meet or approximate criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for his knee, elbow, wrist, and forearm disabilities as well as malaria was denied because he did not have active military service during a period of war.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for joint disability, depression, back pain, and chest pain as there is no competent evidence of a chronic disability in service or related to service. The fibro-osseous lesions are not considered service-connected.