Wrist & hand decisions — 2013

The Veteran's left wrist disability is not service connected as it is associated with his diagnosed cervical spine radiculopathy.

The Veteran's left wrist condition has been rated at 30 percent, and his right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome is found to be service-connected.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected right and left carpal tunnel syndrome do not warrant a rating higher than 30 percent for the right wrist and 20 percent for the left wrist, as they are characterized by no more than moderate incomplete paralysis of the median nerve.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. His right wrist disability was rated as 10 percent disabling, while his right ankle sprain was also rated at 10 percent. The Board found no evidence of ankylosis or other conditions that would warrant higher ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right carpal tunnel syndrome and ulnar neuropathy are not related to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's posttraumatic arthritis of the left wrist is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for this condition.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right wrist disability was denied as the evidence did not show ankylosis or other conditions that would warrant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining VA records and scheduling examinations. The claims will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including new VA examinations and consideration of his service connection claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's service connection claims for cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, sinus, left hip, right hip, and left wrist disabilities. The Veteran's current conditions were not found to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for a right wrist disorder and left knee disorder due to incomplete examination reports, lack of consideration of certain service records, and need for updated VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims will be returned to the RO/AMC for further development.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities and obtaining any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease has been rated at 20 percent since June 20, 2005. The Board found that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his disability based on the range of motion and symptoms reported.

The Board denied service connection for traumatic arthritis and/or carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand, finding no evidence of a chronic condition that was present during or within one year after service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating were denied. The Veteran was not granted service connection for a benign right renal cyst, post laparoscopic radical nephrectomy due to lack of evidence linking the condition to his military service or exposure to contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune. His claim for an increased rating for recurrent left wrist ganglion cyst was also denied as there is no evidence showing that the current disability has worsened since the last examination in 2011.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, right elbow disability, and diverticulosis were denied as there was no evidence of current disabilities or in-service occurrences/nexus to service.

The Veteran is granted service connection for residuals of injury to the right upper extremity, including lateral epicondylitis and wrist tenosynovitis, as these conditions are found to be due to an in-service injury.

The Board determined that a timely substantive appeal was not filed following the July 2008 rating decision denying service connection for various disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current arthritis of the right arm, wrist, ankle, and back injury did not develop or permanently increase in severity during any period of service.