Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's left wrist and middle finger disabilities have been evaluated based on their respective limitations of motion, with no evidence of ankylosis or functional impairment equivalent to amputation.,Both conditions are currently rated at the maximum available under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete medical records.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a left wrist disability and denied service connection for bilateral wrist disabilities. The Board also found that the Veteran has tinnitus that is at least as likely as not incurred in service, granted service connection for tinnitus. Service connection was denied for bilateral plantar warts and neck disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis and bilateral upper extremity, carpal tunnel syndrome as there is no probative evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and TDIU were denied. The initial evaluation of the left wrist disability was upheld at 10 percent, while a temporary 100 percent evaluation from May 20, 2014, to July 1, 2014, for her trigger thumb release surgery convalescence was granted and then reduced to noncompensable. The Veteran's claim for TDIU on an extraschedular basis is pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there is no current evidence of the claimed disabilities. The claim for residuals of a metacarpal fracture was granted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been withdrawn. The Board has dismissed the appeals as they are no longer in contention.

The Veteran's claim for left carpal tunnel syndrome was denied as there is no evidence of current disability.,The Veteran's erectile dysfunction was found to not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, right wrist disability, cervical spine disability, and bilateral knee disability. The reasons provided include lack of a nexus to service or evidence of continuity of symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are service-connected. The claim for hypertension is granted, but a rating assignment is pending as there was no current disability found at the time of examination.

The Veteran's right wrist scarring is not compensable, but he meets the criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his residual fracture of the right distal ulna was denied as there is no evidence of malunion or nonunion, and the disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 5206-5208.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA examinations and updating treatment records.

The Veteran's right carpal tunnel syndrome was granted a higher rating of 30 percent effective August 20, 2016. The other issues remain in appellate status.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, left carpal tunnel syndrome, peripheral neuropathy of the left foot, and increased ratings for right femur fracture, right knee degenerative joint disease, and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of left wrist, hand, knee, ankle, and foot disabilities have been dismissed as he withdrew these claims in November 2015. The right hand disability (diagnosed as degenerative joint disease) has been granted service connection.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate medical opinion in the May 2012 VA examination report. The Veteran's right wrist and thumb disabilities are being reviewed with additional service treatment records from July 1963 and March 1964.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of both wrists. The Board finds that the Veteran's current carpal tunnel syndrome, left wrist, was incurred during service and his right wrist condition is also related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to allow for a new VA examination and review of his service-connected carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as the issue of TDIU. The Veteran seeks increased ratings for his right and left carpal tunnel syndromes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches, joint pain, muscle cramps, and a skin disability is granted. The claims for irritable bowel syndrome, memory loss, and bilateral hand disabilities are denied.