Wrist & hand decisions — 2014

The Veteran's back disability is now rated at 20 percent effective May 31, 2011. A separate evaluation for left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted. The Veteran's bilateral wrist disability remains noncompensable.

The VA examiner determined that the Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome is not related to his time in service and denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left hand disabilities (carpal tunnel syndrome, ulnar neuropathy) are not related to service or his service-connected left elbow disability. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Veteran's left wrist strain has been rated at 10 percent since November 9, 2008. The VA Board found that the evidence supports a higher rating of 30 percent for the entire period on appeal due to favorable ankylosis in 20 degrees to 30 degrees dorsiflexion.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms have worsened, but the Board has determined that a rating in excess of 50 percent is not warranted prior to January 29, 2011. The claims for service connection for COPD, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral knee arthritis, arthritis of the right wrist, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, back condition, neck condition, pneumonia, and cholinergic urticaria have been withdrawn.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral wrist and low back disorders did not have their clinical onset during service, arthritis was not diagnosed within one year post-service, and there is no medical evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service. The claims for service connection were therefore denied.

The Veteran's left wrist disability is currently rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome or fibromyalgia, and her lipomas do not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right lower arm disability and left arm and hand disability are due to or aggravated by her service-connected recurrent shoulder dislocation.,VA medical evidence does not support a finding of osteoarthritis in the Veteran's feet, nor does it link any current foot disorder to service-connected varicose veins.

The Veteran's left wrist disability was not shown to be service-connected or to have resulted in a compensable rating prior to April 29, 2010. The evidence does not demonstrate that the condition warranted a higher rating before this date.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the inadequacy of the VA examination report, specifically regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's De Quervain's syndrome. The examiner was asked to address the clinical significance of the Veteran having a ganglion cyst on his left wrist and its surgical removal/drainage, as well as the in-service treatment for his left wrist.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including right knee disability, acquired psychiatric disorder, right hand disability, sleep disorder, drug and alcohol abuse, and groin pain. The decision also addressed a claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for erectile dysfunction resulting from treatment at VA facilities in December 2005.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his low back, neck, wrist, ankle, and knee disabilities were denied as the evidence did not support a rating higher than 40 percent for his lumbosacral spine disability, 30 percent for his cervical spine disability, 10 percent for his right wrist injury, 10 percent for his right ankle disability, or 10 percent for his right knee tendonitis.

The Veteran's right wrist disability, characterized by arthritis and limitation of motion, is currently rated at the minimum 10 percent level. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the current evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right hand and left wrist disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations to accurately assess the extent of disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip, right ankle, left wrist, and right wrist disabilities. The preponderance of evidence is against finding that these conditions are related to active military service.

The Board denied service connection for a right wrist disability and denied increased ratings for the Veteran's right hip and cervical spine disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or aggravation, and the preponderance of the evidence was against a nexus between current right wrist disability and active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for a right wrist disability and has reopened the claim of service connection for a right knee disability, finding that new evidence received since the last final denial shows a current diagnosis of a right knee disability and relates to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her left wrist ganglion cyst was denied, and the GERD/pelvic adhesion issue had its effective date prior to August 28, 2007 denied. The Board found that there were no symptoms warranting a higher rating for the left wrist condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine, lumbar spine, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy were denied. The VA examiners found that the Veteran's conditions did not warrant a higher rating based on their current manifestations.