Wrist & hand decisions — 2016

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left wrist disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and increased ratings for his right knee disability and distal index finger disability. The Veteran's current disabilities were not found to be related to service or due to any other compensable basis.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a disability rating of 70 percent, effective from May 5, 2009 to July 25, 2013. The Veteran's other claims have been denied.

The Board finds that the appellant likely had in-service hand and arm trauma and has a current right hand and arm condition. The medical opinion indicates that there is at least equipoise evidence regarding whether there exists a medical nexus between the current condition and service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left hand, PTSD with mood disorder, and residuals of middle finger fracture of the left hand have been granted. The Veteran is also entitled to a compensable rating for residuals of middle finger fracture of the left hand.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is rated at 10 percent, effective December 1, 2009. The earlier effective date for TDIU rating has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hand disability was reopened and granted. The Board found that the Veteran has current diagnoses of carpal tunnel syndrome, which is related to his military service. However, the knee and foot disabilities have not been evaluated due to lack of evidence or examination.

The Veteran's initial rating claims for his service-connected bilateral shoulder, wrist, hand, and elbow disabilities have been denied. The Veteran was granted compensable ratings for degenerative arthritis of the right and left hands, as well as initial ratings of 10 percent each for his elbows and wrists.

The RO denied service connection for hypertension, migraine headaches, right and left knee arthralgia, right and left wrist pain, sinusitis, and residuals of fracture, right leg based on findings that no current disability was shown.

The Veteran's right wrist disability, diagnosed as degenerative joint disease of the right hand and wrist, was incurred in service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left upper extremity neurological disorder was not incurred in active service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's cervical radiculopathy with paresthesias of the right upper extremity and right carpal tunnel syndrome is rated at 20 percent since May 12, 2004. The effective date for this rating has been granted as May 12, 2004.

The Board found that the Veteran's left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome was not related to service and denied her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD, migraine headaches, cervical spine degenerative changes including disc protrusion and myositis, right carpal tunnel syndrome, erectile dysfunction, dermatitis and tinea versicolor (previously shown as pityriasis versicolor), and arthritis have been granted service connection. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for increased ratings in excess of 30 percent prior to July 25, 2010, and in excess of 50 percent thereafter, for depressive disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraine headaches, right wrist disability, and stress incontinence all had onset during active service. The Veteran is therefore granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are denied as the evidence does not establish a current disability or link to service.

The Veteran's claims for right and left shoulder osteoarthritis, tendonitis of the left shoulder, and peripheral neuropathy of both shoulders were denied effective from June 18, 2003.,Claims for right and left wrist osteoarthritis were also denied effective from February 20, 2004.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right wrist disability is related to an injury he sustained during active military service, and thus grants his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's wife has multiple disabling conditions that require the aid and attendance of another person, qualifying him for SMC benefits. The claims for service connection for right shoulder impingement syndrome, hypertension as secondary to PTSD, and coronary artery disease (CAD) as secondary to PTSD are denied.

The Board is remanding the case due to missing documents in the claims file and a need for a hearing.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for viral hepatitis and found that new and material evidence has been received. Service connection is granted for viral hepatitis, cirrhosis of the liver, left and right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, left and right arm/elbow tendonitis, bilateral hip disability (secondary to left knee injury), and back disability (secondary to left knee injury).