Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's wrist condition warrants a 10 percent rating from its inception, with the Board finding that she suffered from limitation of motion in her wrist prior to April 9, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including lumbar degenerative disc disease, posttraumatic stress disorder, cervical disc disease status post laminectomy and discectomy, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left carpal tunnel syndrome, malaria, tinea pedis with traumatized nails, and amebic dysentery, are reasonably shown to be of such nature and severity as to prevent him from maintaining substantially gainful employment. Therefore, a TDIU rating is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus has been reopened and granted. His right wrist disability is rated at the maximum allowable under current criteria, and his TDIU claim remains pending.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected lumbar spine strain and right wrist conditions, as well as a claim for TDIU. The AOJ is instructed to arrange for VA examinations to obtain information about the severity of these disabilities and to ensure that all pertinent records are obtained.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the Board has determined that this rating adequately reflects his functional impairment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left wrist disability and a compensable rating for his left wrist scar, as the preponderance of the evidence is against these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination to address the Veteran's claims of service connection, increased ratings, and a compensable evaluation for his skin condition.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD, chronic right arm rotator cuff disability, degenerative joint disease of the right elbow, and right hand carpal tunnel syndrome contributed substantially in bringing about his death. Service connection for the cause of death is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his service-connected conditions do not warrant a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's right wrist disability, characterized by fusion of the wrist in a position other than in 20 to 30 degrees of dorsiflexion, warrants a 40 percent rating on a schedular basis from June 1, 2009 through November 16, 2010, and from September 1, 2011.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and effective dates have been denied. The claim of service connection for sleep apnea has not met the criteria as there is no current diagnosis.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 were denied as the evidence did not show that VA was at fault in providing medical care, and the complications resulting from the surgery were reasonably foreseeable.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various disabilities including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, radiculopathy, left wrist and right wrist avascular necrosis, as well as a higher rating for his cervical spine disability. The appeal also includes an issue regarding TDIU.,The Veteran seeks service connection for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, degenerative joint disease of the left ankle, and avascular necrosis of both wrists. He also requests a higher initial rating for his right ankle disability and entitlement to TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.,,,The Veteran seeks service connection for avascular necrosis of the right wrist due to service-connected right ankle disability. The appeal includes an issue regarding TDIU.,,,

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for COPD, carpal tunnel syndrome, peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral hearing loss are granted. The decision is based on the evidence showing a relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for clarification regarding the Veteran's military duties and exposure to herbicide agents in Thailand. The appellant must provide evidence of herbicide agent exposure, which may be verified through the U.S. Army Joint Services Records Research Center (JSRRC).

The Veteran's low back disability is service-connected, tinnitus and gastrointestinal disability are not service-connected, right wrist disability is service-connected, but left wrist disability is not service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for left wrist strain has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition (depression). The left wrist strain claim was reopened, but the Board determined that there is no current diagnosis of a chronic or permanent disability related to service. Claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome or fibromyalgia and right lower extremity sciatica were also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right wrist disability and finds that her claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining service personnel records and addressing whether his in-service injury was incurred in line of duty. The issues on appeal will be reconsidered after these actions.