Wrist & hand decisions — 2012

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment, as determined by the March 2011 Board decision. However, a new VA examination is required to determine if his service-connected disabilities would preclude him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of evidence. The case will be returned to the Board after further action.

The Board found that the Veteran's knee, ankle, elbow, wrist, and back disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and VA medical records, as well as conducting VA examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has determined that the appellant's left shoulder tendonitis and bilateral hand numbness are related to her active service, granting her claims for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for presumptive service connection due to an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left wrist, hand, shoulder, arm, and cervical/lumbar spine disorders are denied as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease that could be causally related to these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequacies in the March 2006 VA examination and failure to satisfy the duty to assist.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claims for increased initial disability ratings for residuals, shell fragment wound, left wrist/hand and corneal scar of the left eye have been denied as his conditions do not warrant a higher evaluation under applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a grant of service connection or higher initial ratings.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn as to his right knee disorder, left knee disorder, hearing loss, multiple arthralgias (joint pain), and carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board denied service connection for lumbosacral spine spondylosis, degenerative joint disease of the bilateral wrists, bilateral knee replacement, and degenerative joint disease of the left ankle as these conditions are not related to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current cervical spine disability, specifically cervical myosfascial syndrome, is related to his service-connected migraine headaches. As a result, the claim for secondary service connection for the cervical spine disability is granted.

The Veteran's service connection claims for carpal and cubital tunnel syndrome of the left and right upper extremities are granted as his symptoms began during service and have persisted since.

The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome has been rated based on the severity of his symptoms, which have remained moderate since February 5, 2010. Prior to that date, he was granted a 30% rating for his right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and impotence, including psychogenic impotence. Service connection is granted on a presumptive basis due to exposure to Agent Orange in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and a low back disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and review of his medical records.

The Board has determined that there is no credible evidence of a right upper extremity disability for several years after service, and the most persuasive opinion evidence to address the question of whether there exists a nexus between the appellant's in-service wrist pain and his current carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity is adverse to the claim. Similarly, there is no credible evidence of a left upper extremity disability for several years after service, and the most persuasive opinion evidence to address the question of whether there exists a nexus between the appellant's in-service wrist pain and his current motor neuropathy of the left upper extremity is adverse to the claim.