Wrist & hand decisions — 2017

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral wrist disorder, diagnosed as bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, is related to his active service and granted service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, finding that his right femur fracture was not caused by carelessness or negligence on the part of VA medical facility. The Board also found no evidence supporting a claim under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining any outstanding treatment records and providing new VA examinations.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the left wrist is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5215.,The Veteran's GERD is currently rated at 10 percent based on symptoms of pyrosis and regurgitation.

The Veteran's chronic left wrist sprain is found to be related to his service, and he has been granted service connection for this condition. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD and depression) remains pending.

The Veteran's right wrist degenerative joint disease is granted as service connected because there is a credible continuity of symptoms since his period of active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral knee replacements and other conditions such as anxiety disorder, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board grants the TDIU claim.

The Board has granted service connection for right wrist sprain, tenosynovitis, and degenerative changes as these conditions are considered to have started during the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and VA examinations. The issues of rating his service-connected lumbar strain and right wrist cyst are still pending.

The Board denied service connection for a respiratory disorder, right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, and left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome. The Veteran's claims were not based on presumptive exposure to environmental factors or the PACT Act.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and consideration of his claims, including those related to left wrist, left knee, and shoulder disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle, right ankle, left wrist, right wrist, left hip, and right hip disabilities due to lack of a current disability during or after active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right carpal tunnel syndrome was onset during active service and granted service connection for this condition. The issue of an increased rating for left knee degenerative arthritis is addressed in a separate remand.

The Veteran's right wrist tenosynovitis is found to be caused by an instance of fault by VA in providing treatment, and compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for right wrist tenosynovitis is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left wrist arthritis, an acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD, anxiety disorder not otherwise specified, and alcohol dependence), and a higher rating for his service-connected left scaphoid fracture. The decision found no current evidence of arthritis or any other mental health condition for VA compensation purposes.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for left CTS with a 10 percent rating effective March 11, 2014.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection as his current left wrist condition is not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of diabetic upper extremity neuropathy and denied service connection for bilateral upper extremity neuropathy as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Veteran's bilateral CTS has been rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent is not warranted for either extremity.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right wrist disability, including carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, tenosynovitis, sprain and strain is being remanded due to the need for an adequate VA medical opinion.