Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to September 8, 2011. The Board finds that the evidence does not show he was incapable of securing and following a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right wrist degenerative joint disease and TDIU, finding that the current condition did not manifest during or as a result of active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's service connection claims for left and right arm disabilities, left hand disability, right hand disability, right wrist disability, and right foot callus. The Board found no competent evidence of an in-service injury or event related to these conditions, and there was insufficient medical opinion linking any diagnosed conditions to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected left ankle sprain has been rated as noncompensable prior to March 16, 2017 and at a 10 percent rating thereafter. The Board found that the disability manifested in painful motion throughout the relevant claim period but did not meet the criteria for an increased rating.,The Veteran's service-connected right wrist strain has been rated as 10 percent disabling since March 24, 2009. The Board determined that the evidence did not support a higher initial rating.

The appeal is being remanded for additional development to address service connection claims, including a TDIU claim and issues related to PTSD. Medical opinions are needed regarding the etiology of low back, right ankle, and left wrist disorders.

The Board denied service connection for allergic rhinitis, a hand condition (bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome), and hypertension. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were related to the Veteran's military service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD has been withdrawn by his representative. The Board also notes that additional medical records are needed to consider the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including VA examinations and consideration of new evidence. The appellant's claims for service connection on appeal are pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected right and left wrist arthralgia, as well as her left foot Morton's neuroma with hallux valgus and sesamoiditis, were denied. The maximum schedular rating of 10 percent is assigned for each condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing VA examination reports and outstanding medical records.

The Veteran's right wrist disability and associated scars are currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under diagnostic codes for range of motion and scars. The Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted as there is no evidence of ankylosis or deep, unstable, or painful scars.

The Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is presumed to have been incurred in service, and the claim for service connection is granted. The issues regarding higher initial ratings for left and right knee disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's left wrist disability has been manifested by painful motion, dorsiflexion from 0 to 5 degrees, and palmar flexion from 0 to 5 degrees. The Board found that the current 10 percent rating adequately reflects his disability level and symptomatology.

The Veteran's right elbow/wrist disability, which included cubital syndrome and carpal tunnel syndrome, was rated at 20 percent prior to December 15, 2014. The Board found that the evidence supported a rating of 20 percent for this period.

The Veteran's service-connected wrist disabilities have not been found to warrant increased ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to assess the severity of his cervical spine and left radial shaft disabilities, as well as the etiology of his bilateral hand arthritis, right elbow and wrist pain, right subacromial bursitis, left scapulothoracic bursitis, lumbar strain, right ankle sprain, and left knee arthritis.

The Board has granted a rating of 70 percent for the Veteran's right wrist disability and has determined that he is entitled to TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, uterine mass, and right wrist/hand disorder. The Veteran's current conditions are not shown to be related to her active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left wrist and low back disabilities are service-connected as they had their onset during his active duty.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for all current claims on appeal prior to the Board's decision.