Wrist & hand decisions — 2011

The Veteran's service-connected left and right carpal tunnel syndrome have been rated at 10% each, with no higher ratings granted due to the mild nature of his symptoms.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, lumbosacral disability, bronchitis, gastritis, bilateral upper extremity paresthesias, bilateral wrist strain, residuals of bilateral big toe fractures, and headaches have been denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a right knee condition, but denied his claims for service connection for right and left wrist conditions.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral CTS, finding no nexus between the current disability and military service or any incident thereof.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed left arm/wrist injury did not result from service and is not related to any condition or event in service. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for service connection for various conditions, including left elbow tendonitis and arthritis of the right hand, left hand other than the left ring finger PIP joint, right wrist, left wrist, right knee, left knee, and left shoulder. The issues were decided as direct service connection cases.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been granted, but with noncompensable ratings. The claims for shin splints, neck pain, enlarged heart, and vocal cord dysfunction are denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to military service, while the left wrist disorder is not.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus has been granted. Service connection for a left wrist disorder was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of a left wrist disability is being remanded due to the need for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of his current condition.

The Veteran's hypertension, hemorrhoids, and hiatal hernia were granted service connection with initial noncompensable ratings. The Veteran's sleep apnea claim was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including an examination to determine the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral wrist and ankle disorders. The issues are whether these conditions are related to service, specifically cold weather exposure.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, service connection for degenerative changes of the lumbar spine and cervical spine, C5-6, and service connection for fibromyalgia, diffuse idiopathic skeletal hyperostosis, and arthritis of the shoulders, knees, and wrists were denied. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a low back injury, right wrist disability, and rotary cuff joint pain. The evidence did not support a finding that any current disabilities were related to military service.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the appellant's claims of service connection for sleep apnea and a bilateral hand/wrist disability, to include carpal tunnel syndrome and/or arthritis. The appellant will be scheduled for VA examinations to determine if his current disabilities are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, fatigue, and joint pain were denied as new and material evidence was not provided. The claim for increased evaluations for degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine is pending in the REMAND portion.

The Veteran's service-connected residual scar to the left wrist has been found not to meet the criteria for an initial compensable disability rating due to lack of limitation of motion or function, and no indication of instability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, with the exception of her tinnitus claim which is pending. The issues on appeal include chronic urinary disorder, Chiari malformation, bilateral ulnar neuropathy, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, through his authorized representative.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bruised flexor muscle of the right forearm, major depressive disorder, and ununited fracture of the right wrist) combine to render him unemployable. As such, he is granted a TDIU.