Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's left wrist degenerative change, status post distal radial fracture, and left knee patellofemoral syndrome did not preclude him from performing gainful employment for which his education and occupational experience otherwise qualify him.,Effective May 29, 2012, service-connection was established for a mood disorder NOS, rated 100 percent disabling.

The Veteran's panic disorder is rated at 30 percent since January 27, 2012.,The Veteran's low back disability has been rated at 10 percent since October 23, 2011. The claim for a higher rating remains pending.,The Veteran's neck disability has been rated at 10 percent since October 18, 2013.,The Veteran's left upper extremity radiculopathy and carpal tunnel syndrome have been rated at 30 percent since October 23, 2011.,The Veteran's digestive disability has not yet reached the threshold for a higher rating.,The Veteran's painful scars have been rated as non-compensable (0 percent).,The Veteran's anemia has not yet reached the threshold for a higher rating.,The Veteran's uterine condition, with secondary voiding dysfunction, has been rated at 30 percent since October 18, 2013.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss disability, sleep apnea, neck condition and gastrointestinal condition are all service-connected. The Board has also granted service connection for sinusitis and low back condition. However, the Veteran's bilateral shoulder, elbow, wrist and knee conditions have not been established as service-connected.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right wrist disability, right ankle disability, and right ear hearing loss due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of VA examination, and the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for traumatic arthritis of the left wrist is being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's ruptured tendons, hemorrhoids, and right wrist CTS. The rating of 10 percent for right elbow tendonitis remains unchanged.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's service connection claims and a need for new VA opinions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not contribute to his accidental overdose and subsequent death, as evidenced by the lack of evidence showing a direct link between his medications and the overdose. The appellant's claim is denied.

The Veteran's right and left wrist carpal tunnel syndromes have been rated based on their severity, with the highest ratings granted for each condition.,For her status post tonsillectomy, she has received a non-compensable rating but is seeking an initial compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his service-connected chronic left wrist sprain has been denied by the Board. The disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and no higher as there is no evidence of ankylosis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and assessments, particularly regarding his claimed low back disability, neck disability, and gastrointestinal symptoms. The asthma claim is also being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting entitlement to TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings was denied, with the exception of a grant of a 50% rating for depression effective January 30, 2012. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating for his depressive disorder.

The Veteran's left wrist disability, manifested by pain and decreased grip strength with limited motion, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the current level of disability.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) has been granted. The Board found that the evidence supported a finding of entitlement to this higher rating based on the severity of his IBS symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left wrist condition and bilateral hearing loss are service-connected based on direct evidence, with no presumption of service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling an examination and obtaining updated VA medical records.

The appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew it prior to a decision being made.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a neck disorder, low back disorder, and left wrist disorder due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found new and material evidence to reopen claims of service connection for right and left knee disabilities, but did not find such evidence in the case of a claim for PTSD. The decision on the left wrist disability is pending as it was previously denied based on lack of line-of-duty status.