Wrist & hand decisions — 2013

The Board has granted service connection for a variety of musculoskeletal and respiratory conditions, including shortness of breath, shoulder disorder, elbow pain, knee disorders, ankle disorders, and neck disorder. The Veteran's claims are supported by his reported symptoms in service and subsequent diagnoses.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for a VA examination. The claims will be reviewed again based on the new evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral knee disorder, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and sacroiliac disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and effective dates have been granted, with the effective date set at August 24, 2005.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of a left wrist injury was granted, with the effective date being April 29, 2010. The Veteran also had his claims for service connection for low back disability and right foot or ankle disability as well as tinnitus denied.

The Board has granted the reopening of the claim for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist, but remains uncertain about the status of the TDIU issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current degenerative joint disease of the left wrist is related to a fracture injury in service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as bipolar disorder) remains pending.

The Veteran's right wrist disability was evaluated at a maximum of 30 percent since March 22, 2004. From June 3, 2009 to prior to June 28, 2012, the Veteran received a noncompensable evaluation for his peripheral neuropathy of the right hand. Since June 28, 2012, he has been rated at 20 percent.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is pending and will be adjudicated in conjunction with the other issues on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for linear scleroderma of the scalp prior to February 12, 2008, and in excess of 30 percent as of that date was withdrawn by the Veteran.,The Board found no evidence showing a left wrist disability manifested during service or due to a service-connected condition. The Veteran's current left wrist disability is not considered secondary to her service-connected left elbow medial epicondylitis.

The Veteran's service connection claim for migraine headaches was granted, and he is now receiving a 10 percent rating for his residuals of a fracture of the left fifth toe.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as the claims for an initial compensable rating for right wrist strain prior to February 3, 2011 and for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent since that date were not substantiated. The claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability was also denied.

The Board granted a 40 percent evaluation for low back strain since June 8, 2010. The Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep disability and increased evaluations for left ankle sprain were also granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the VA examiner's opinion regarding the claim for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome. The Veteran is considered to have carpal tunnel syndrome, and a medical opinion is needed linking it to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is service-connected.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus is granted due to herbicide exposure during service in Korea.,Chronic upper respiratory disorder (bronchial asthma) is not service-connected.,Depressive disorder secondary to service-connected bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is not service-connected.,Low back disorder is not service-connected.,Intestinal disorder is not service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his left wrist disability was denied. The claim is based on direct service connection and the current rating adequately reflects the functional impairment due to pain, weakness, decreased strength, stiffness, guarding, less movement than normal, swelling, and fatigability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of his service records.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to a right wrist disability resulting from VA treatment in May 2010 is denied as there is no evidence that the care provided caused or aggravated an additional disability.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a low back disability but denied all other claims due to lack of current diagnoses and no in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Board denied service connection for a right wrist disability and dismissed the claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU.