Wrist & hand Board decisions

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.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his back condition and other conditions like sleep apnea, hypertension, and carpal tunnel syndrome, render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for her right wrist condition is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional development of medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder disability is related to his military service, while his bilateral wrist disability is not shown to be due to a disease or injury incurred in service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left wrist disability, finding that the preponderance of evidence did not show ankylosis or neurological impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right wrist disability does not warrant an extraschedular evaluation, as the symptoms are adequately addressed by the current rating schedule.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational experience.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and bilateral wrist conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including right foot disorder, left foot disorder, left hand disorder, right wrist disorder, left wrist disorder, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, right hip disorder, left hip disorder, neck disorder, eye disorder, lung disorder, and knee disorders. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy with carpal tunnel syndrome, to include as secondary to herbicide exposure, and for a TDIU. The decision found that there was no evidence of a nexus between the Veteran's current disabilities and his military service or presumed Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and right shoulder disorder are not service-connected as they are not related to his military service.