Wrist & hand decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral wrist arthritis is service-connected and her bipolar disorder warrants a 50 percent disability rating from May 5, 2010 forward.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle and right wrist disorders have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability that is related to her military service. The claim for service connection for the left great toe disorder remains pending further evaluation.

The Board finds that the Veteran's pre-existing right wrist disability was not aggravated by active service and thus, denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right thigh contusion, left foot disorder, right wrist disorder, throat disorder (claimed as reflux), and low back strain.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance for her wrist brace because it did not cause wear and tear to her clothing, despite her assertion of financial hardship.

The Board's October 1971 decision denying service connection for right wrist disability and hypertension is overturned due to clear and unmistakable error (CUE). The Veteran's right wrist condition was found to have existed pre-service, but the Board incorrectly applied the presumption of soundness. His hypertension was not shown to be aggravated by service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right wrist and hand traumatic arthritis, skin disability (including chloracne), and neurological disability of the upper extremities to include peripheral neuropathy and/or carpal tunnel syndrome. The effective date remains August 1, 2008.

The Veteran's right wrist, recurring ear infections and sinusitis disabilities were incurred in service or are otherwise etiologically related to his active service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her hysterectomy residuals was denied, and she is not entitled to TDIU due to the severity of her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome was evaluated as 10 percent disabling from October 1, 2006, to July 31, 2012, and as 30 percent disabling from August 1, 2012, to November 13, 2013. The Board denied higher ratings for the periods on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the submission of new evidence. The Board will review this evidence and readjudicate his claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations and the provision of an opportunity to submit or identify any additional medical documentation.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including consideration of an extraschedular rating and referral to Compensation Services for review. The Veteran's right wrist disability is still under appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed back disorder with arthritis and nerve damage of the arms and hands, including carpal tunnel syndrome, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The evidence does not establish a link between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss and wrist/knee disorders, were denied as there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology. The Board found that the Veteran did not have current diagnoses for some of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left wrist disability of arthritis is service-connected, as it can be attributed to an in-service injury and continuous symptoms since separation from service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist did not originate in service or for many years thereafter, is not related to any incident during active service and is not proximately due to or aggravated by a service-connected disability. Therefore, the claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome and thoracic outlet syndrome were not incurred or aggravated by service, nor are they proximately due to a service-connected disability. Service connection for these conditions is therefore denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right hand carpal tunnel syndrome and right trigger finger syndrome did not have its onset in service, and there is no evidence of a nexus to his period of active duty. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of left wrist fracture, disability of the right wrist/upper extremity (carpal tunnel syndrome and peripheral neuropathy), lumbar spine disability, hypertension, and arthritis in multiple joints were denied. The Board found that these conditions did not manifest during or within one year after service and are not related to service.