Wrist & hand decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. Service connection was not granted, but the Veteran's existing right ankle disability was rated based on its severity.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left foot drop with partial peroneal palsy, low back disability, and right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome have been withdrawn. The Veteran has a current neck disability that was likely incurred during service, and her service connection claim for a left knee disability is granted.,Prior to January 12, 2012, the Veteran's PTSD disability rating is increased to 70 percent.

The Veteran requested to withdraw appeals for several conditions, including breathing disorder, pulmonary disorder, right thyroid nodule, left knee disorder, left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, left elbow disorder, right elbow disorder, left arm cyst, right arm cyst, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, right wrist condition, left wrist condition, right hip condition, and left hip condition.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder was denied in June 2003 due to aggravation by his active service. The evidence received since then includes testimony from the Veteran stating that he aggravated his pre-service right knee disorder during his second period of service.

The Veteran's right knee disability has been denied as secondary to service-connected left elbow disability. The other claims have been granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left wrist disorder. However, there is no current diagnosis or manifestation of bilateral hearing loss for VA purposes.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various hand and wrist disabilities, as well as a left shoulder disability. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred during active duty or National Guard service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded to allow for additional development of her medical records, examinations, and consideration of the issues on appeal.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral breast disability and bilateral feet neuropathy did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease. The Veteran's left wrist disability was noted on entrance into service but increased in severity during service.,Service connection for a bilateral breast disability and bilateral feet neuropathy cannot be granted as the Veteran has not provided sufficient evidence to establish an in-service event, injury, or disease.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for microscopic hematuria was previously denied in a final rating decision. The RO found that the evidence did not demonstrate an actually disabling condition. His claim for increased rating of traumatic arthritis of the right wrist remains denied.

The Board has granted a disability rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's left wrist disability, which is manifested by limited and weakened motion without ankylosis.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence on file for VA to make a decision on the claims. The appellant should be afforded examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his service-connected left wrist injury, status-post dorsal capsulodesis is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and consideration of new symptoms reported by the Veteran.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining records from an orthopedic surgeon and providing a new opinion on whether the Veteran's right wrist injury is related to his military service.

The Veteran's left wrist fracture with degenerative changes has been rated at 10 percent since August 21, 2008. The issues regarding the right wrist have not yet been resolved.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a cancerous gynecological disorder and left hand/wrist disorder were denied. The claims for reopening of the respiratory, heart, psychiatric, and right knee disorders were granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left wrist disability, which was incurred in service as a fracture injury, meets the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that the April 1993 rating decision denying service connection for an abnormal EKG was clearly and unmistakably erroneous, and service connection is now granted.

The Veteran's migraine headaches have been rated at 50 percent since the onset of her appeal, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 8100. The Veteran also has a 50 percent rating for each wrist due to De Quervain's tenosynovitis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and verify his training periods, as well as to provide etiology opinions regarding the claimed conditions.