Wrist & hand decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that there is no credible evidence to support the Veteran's claims of in-service incurrence or aggravation of left elbow and left wrist disabilities, thus denying service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to August 26, 2009 for the awards of service connection for various joint conditions have been denied as there is no evidence or correspondence in the record that was received prior to August 26, 2009 which could be construed as either a timely notice of disagreement and/or a CUE challenge to the rating decisions which assigned (in December 1973) and continued (in June 1999) the noncompensable rating for migratory arthritis of multiple joints.

The Veteran's appeal on the issue of a higher rating for dysthymic disorder has been dismissed due to his withdrawal. The case is being remanded for further development and examination regarding his right elbow, right wrist, and right leg conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have service connection for CTS, breast reduction surgery, or a low back disability due to lack of evidence showing onset during service or a link to service. The Board also found no new and material evidence to reopen her claim for cervical dysplasia.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have hepatitis C, right carpal tunnel syndrome, or left leg numbness (numbness of the left leg) as a result of service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension, hypertensive heart disease, and chronic kidney disease. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing onset during or soon after service, nor was there any competent medical evidence linking these conditions to events in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed left hand and arm disorders are not related to his military service, including a reported burn injury in 1976.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected left knee disability and left wrist disability.

Service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist is reopened, and a 30 percent evaluation for post-operative residuals of cholecystectomy with IBS is granted prior to June 29, 2010. The effective date for these determinations has not been established.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claim of service connection for eczematous changes, to include the head, palmar aspect of the hands, wrists, buttocks, and lower extremities (claimed as a skin condition of the hands and wrists).

The Veteran's claims for a right wrist disability and testicular disability have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of either condition, and the testicular disability is not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome in either upper extremity, and therefore cannot establish service connection for right or left hand carpal tunnel syndrome / peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has granted service connection for a neurological disability of the right lower extremity, manifested by mild incomplete paralysis of the sciatic and external popliteal nerves, related to service-connected lumbar spine disorder. The issue of service connection for upper extremities other than cervical radiculopathy remains pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for coronary artery disease, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, rhabdomyolysis, and carpal tunnel syndrome. The evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and active duty service.

The Veteran's PTSD was granted service connection based on an in-service sexual assault. The left wrist disability and residuals of a left arm laceration with left ulnar neuropathy were not addressed due to the remand.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his left shoulder disability and the nature and etiology of any diagnosed bilateral hand and wrist disabilities.

The Veteran's right wrist disability, including arthritis and limitation of motion, is currently rated at 10 percent. The appeal for a higher rating remains denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a video conference hearing. The claims of service connection and increased rating remain in an unresolved state.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 20 percent, effective September 22, 2009. The rating for his right knee disability remains at 10 percent. His right ankle surgical scars are rated as compensable (10 percent) since April 14, 2014. A noncompensable rating is assigned for his left ankle disability and a 10 percent rating is assigned for his bilateral hydroceles/varicoceles.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for boils on the head was denied in June 2005, and no new and material evidence has been received to reopen this claim.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability was denied in June 2005. New and material evidence has been received to reopen this claim.