Wrist & hand decisions — 2011

The Veteran died from respiratory depression due to acute morphine intoxication. The appellant claims that the death was caused by his service-connected conditions, including generalized anxiety with depression and PTSD, which may have led him to abuse painkillers like morphine. The Board finds a need for additional development to determine if the cause of death is related to service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for median neuropathy of the left wrist is denied as there is no credible evidence linking his current condition to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his knee and shoulder disabilities have been granted, with the right shoulder receiving a separate rating for instability. The left hand and left wrist conditions are not currently under appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records review.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right carpal tunnel syndrome/neuropathy is not linked to her service and denied her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative, and the issues of entitlement to initial compensable ratings for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity and erythema annulare centrifugum, as well as service connection for diabetes mellitus and refractive error with presbyopia have been dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hearing loss for VA compensation purposes and his tinnitus is not related to service. The claims of entitlement to service connection for hypertension, plantar fasciitis, left ankle condition, left wrist condition, morphea scleroderma, sinus condition, and eye condition are denied.

The Veteran's right knee, left wrist, and right wrist disabilities are not service-connected. The Board finds no evidence of a current disability related to these conditions.,Bilateral hearing loss was first noted many years after service and is not service-connected.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to active service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition. The claims of service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, right ankle disability, and left knee disability are pending.

The Veteran's IBS was rated at 30 percent since March 6, 2006. The rating is the maximum available under Diagnostic Code 7319.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the criteria for a higher rating or TDIU had not been met prior to the specified dates.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left wrist disability was denied. The current disability picture does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's left carpal tunnel syndrome is not related to military service nor is it due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his service-connected conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of excision of ganglion cyst of the left wrist, manifested by well-healed scar and some level of wrist pain, were reduced from a 10% to a 0% evaluation effective January 1, 2009. The reduction was upheld as it is determined that there has been an actual improvement in his condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a right wrist injury or disease, abdominal pain, or lumbosacral spine disability due to lack of evidence and medical findings.

The Veteran's right and left carpal tunnel syndrome did not result in any functional impairment or limitation of motion prior to November 16, 2007. Therefore, a compensable disability rating was not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left wrist disability was denied. The VA determined that the current rating of 30 percent adequately reflects the severity and symptoms of his condition.

The Veteran's claims of service connection and initial compensable ratings for left knee bursitis, right knee ganglion cyst, right wrist distal radius fracture, and left ear hearing loss have been granted. The effective date is September 1, 2005.