Wrist & hand decisions — 2016

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for stomach and eye problems, as they are not related to his service or a service-connected disability. The other issues on appeal have been addressed but no rating assigned.

The Board finds that the cause of the Veteran's death was of service origin and thus, service connection is warranted for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability in his knees and lower back. The claims for hand, wrist, and right shoulder conditions are denied as they do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection of his right wrist and hand disabilities, as they are not shown to be related to his military service. The psychiatric disorder claim was also denied.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current right wrist disorder and denied her claim for service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed right wrist or low back disability, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied. The claim for service connection for bronchitis was also denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a need for a neurological examination to determine if there is lower radicular group impairment related to the Veteran's residuals of a third metacarpal fracture of the right hand with carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right wrist tendinitis had its onset in service and granted his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a ganglion cyst of the right wrist was granted. The remaining issues on appeal are related to his PTSD, hypothyroidism, and back disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right wrist arthritis, left knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), finding that there was no evidence of these conditions during the appeal period or proximate thereto.

The Board found that the Veteran's left carpal tunnel syndrome did not manifest within one year of her separation from service and is not related to service, thus denying her claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his military service and therefore, denied all claims for service connection.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for the claims of depressive disorder, bilateral pes planus, hypothyroidism, and a bilateral shin disability during her hearing. The remaining issues are not addressed in this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals of a right calf injury, left foot disability (pes planus), and left wrist disability are not service-connected as they were either preexisting conditions or did not worsen during service.

The Veteran's left wrist ganglion cyst resulted in pain and limited motion, warranting a 10 percent rating. The ankle disability was rated at 10 percent for moderate limitation of motion. Both back and neck disabilities were also rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination. The Veteran is seeking service connection for left wrist pain, tingling, and swelling that he experienced during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development as there are outstanding VA treatment records and the issues on appeal require further consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis of the wrists, elbows, and knees, and hemorrhoids have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or in-service events that could be related to these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he and his representative have agreed that a grant of total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) would satisfy all of the Veteran's pending appeals.