Wrist & hand decisions — 2017

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for psychiatric disability, left wrist disability, and right wrist disability. The claims were previously denied on the basis that there was no evidence of current disabilities. New evidence received since May 2010 does not show a chronic disability in either or both wrists.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee disability and right wrist disability are not service-connected as they were not incurred or aggravated during his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right wrist disability claimed as arthritis, an initial compensable rating for residuals of a laceration of the right wrist, and an initial compensable rating for residuals of a stab wound to the abdomen. The appeal to reopen service connection for HIV infection was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right hand disability, including carpal tunnel syndrome, and thus service connection cannot be granted.

The Board found that the criteria for an increased rating were not met for the Veteran's right wrist disability prior to September 8, 2014 and denied his claims for increased ratings as of this date. The claim for a compensable rating for his right wrist scar was granted. The Board also determined that new and material evidence had been submitted in order to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for a back disorder. However, the Board found no basis to grant service connection for sleep apnea.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to insufficient opinions regarding the etiology of his bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine. Additional examinations are needed.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right knee disorder and granted it, finding that there is at least as likely as not that his current osteoarthritis of the right knee is related to his active service.

The Veteran's right wrist disability sustained in service has been granted, and he is entitled to a rating for his thumb and index finger disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right wrist and left femur disabilities warrant a rating of 10 percent each, effective as of the date of the decision.

The Veteran's left wrist status post carpal tunnel release with median nerve neuropathy is currently rated at 20 percent, and the painful surgical scar of the left wrist is rated at 10 percent. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left wrist disability has been denied as there is no evidence showing that a higher evaluation is warranted based on the current level of disability. There was no clear and unmistakable error in the September 1992 rating decision, and the effective date for the separate 10 percent rating for left wrist tenosynovitis prior to September 13, 2012 has not been established.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his conditions and their relationship to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the claims of right elbow, left elbow, and left foot plantar fasciitis.,A left knee disorder is related to a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral wrist disability is not related to his active duty service and has denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary regarding the Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased disability ratings for right knee and right hand disabilities, as well as service connection for a left knee disability. The Veteran will be provided with adequate notice at his current address of record and scheduled for VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions and service connection.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is attributable to his active duty service and the Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension did not have its onset in or is otherwise related to his active duty service, and therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral foot, right wrist, left knee, and left shoulder conditions are related to service. The Board grants these claims.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on loss of use of the right hand due to service-connected conditions was denied as his disability does not meet the definition of 'loss of use' as defined by VA.