Wrist & hand decisions — 2012

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected wrist disabilities have been denied as the evidence does not show that any of these conditions warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.,The Veteran has mild ulnar nerve neuropathy associated with his right wrist disability, but this condition is not severe enough to warrant an initial separate rating.

The Board denied service connection for various hand, wrist, and shoulder disabilities, as well as a right big toe disability. The Veteran's claims were not supported by the evidence of record.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative, and the issues have therefore been dismissed.

The Veteran does not currently have peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities other than carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has remanded the case for a supplemental medical opinion to address the etiology of the Veteran's right wrist/hand disability, including his degenerative joint disease. The claim is currently pending and will be further developed.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD with insomnia and alcoholism has been rated at 50% since May 7, 2011. The Board finds that the criteria for a 70% rating have been met effective August 22, 2006.

For the entire initial rating period under appeal, the criteria for an initial (compensable) rating higher for right carpal tunnel syndrome have not been met.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current cervical spine disability, including cervical spinal pain and strain and degenerative disease, had its onset during her active military service.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine disability, right shoulder arthritis, elbows arthritis, and right wrist arthritis as these conditions are not related to active duty or service-connected disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral shoulder, elbow and wrist disabilities did not undergo a permanent increase in severity during his service. Therefore, these conditions were not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the appellant's request for withdrawal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current mild left ear hearing loss does not meet VA disability compensation criteria and there is no evidence of a current disability related to service. Right ear hearing loss was found to be related to active duty service.

The Veteran's residuals of a third metacarpal fracture and carpal tunnel syndrome have been evaluated at the 30 percent rating since November 8, 2005. The Board has found that these symptoms do not warrant an increase in disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed left wrist and left knee strains are not related to his military service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and updating records from the Social Security Administration (SSA). The Veteran's claim of entitlement to TDIU is currently pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or service connection, except for reopening of his PTSD claim.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for residuals of a right hand crush injury and carpal tunnel syndrome since September 1, 2007 was denied as the disability does not approximate severe incomplete paralysis of the musculospiral nerve.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine disability and found that it is related to the Veteran's left wrist disability, right shoulder disability, and pulled groin muscle. The rating assigned remains at 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral lower extremity and upper extremity disabilities are not related to service or a service-connected disability, thus denying his claims.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left wrist disability is being remanded due to the need for a current VA examination and additional treatment records.