Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran is currently rated at 10 percent for his service-connected diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as there is no evidence of ankylosis or other disabling pathology affecting these disabilities.,The Veteran's wrist disability has been evaluated under Diagnostic Code 5214, which addresses limitation of motion. There is no evidence of ankylosis at any point on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for a left wrist disability and an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD. The Veteran's current left wrist condition was not found to be related to his in-service injury, while the VA examiner determined that he does not have a mental disorder that conforms to DSM-5 criteria.,There is no evidence of a diagnosed acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, during service or within one year after separation. The Veteran's current cognitive impairment was noted but not linked to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no left ear hearing loss disability and concluded that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of sensorineural hearing loss under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and treatment records.

The Veteran's left ankle disability was rated at 10 percent prior to December 8, 2016. As of that date, the disability is rated at 20 percent due to marked limitation of motion. The compensable rating for the left wrist scar remains unchanged.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been characterized by painful motion, but do not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The scars are small and asymptomatic.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for cervical spine disability and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left wrist scar and bilateral shin scars are related to his service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of injury to the nose with deviated septum is found to aggravate his current sleep apnea, which was previously denied. The Board finds that the Veteran has a disability manifested by loss of peripheral vision and grants service connection for this condition as secondary to his service-connected residuals of injury to the nose with deviated septum. Service connection is also granted for cervical spine disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome as secondary to service-connected conditions.

The Veteran has withdrawn their appeals for the issues of service connection for a right hand disability, service connection for a right wrist disability, and a rating for right shoulder acromioclavicular arthritis in excess of 10 percent prior to August 29, 2014, and in excess of 30 percent thereafter.

The Veteran's cubital and carpal tunnel syndrome of the right arm is currently rated at 40 percent, which is in line with his symptoms and examination findings. The disability has been manifested by pain, stiffness, and numbness without more than moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Veteran's right knee disability, characterized as chondromalacia and meniscus tear, is found to be secondary to his service-connected left knee condition. The Board has granted a rating of 10% for the Veteran's right knee disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome is not service-connected, as it did not manifest within one year of her service and there is no evidence linking it to her service-connected right wrist tendonitis.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issue of entitlement to an effective date prior to June 16, 2015 for the grant of service connection for left (nondominant) extremity wrist drop.

The Veteran's bilateral wrist orthopedic disabilities are each rated at 10 percent, the maximum rating available under the applicable diagnostic codes. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and a disability of the bilateral upper extremity manifested by numbness (diagnosed as epicondylitis).