Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for a service-connected right wrist disability prior to December 1, 2015, excluding periods of temporary total evaluation; in excess of 40 percent from December 1, 2015 to May 12, 2016; and in excess of 70 percent thereafter.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of left wrist or right ankle disabilities, and therefore service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Veteran's right wrist disability with degenerative joint disease has been rated at 10 percent since February 2010. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's residuals of a left wrist fracture have not been manifested by unfavorable ankylosis, and therefore do not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination, and providing an addendum opinion regarding service connection.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right ankle disability was denied. The Board found that the current 40 percent evaluation adequately reflects the severity of his service-connected condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's left shoulder and bilateral carpal tunnel disabilities are not related to service or a service-connected disability. The claim for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's left wrist disability has been rated at the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent since September 2006. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted prior to December 7, 2015.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for her service-connected lumbar spine disability, bilateral shoulder disabilities, cervical spine disability, and upper extremity neurological impairments. The evaluation for DDD of the lumbar spine was found to be inadequate prior to June 21, 2016.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's back disability and right carpal tunnel syndrome did not have its onset during service or are otherwise related to service. The claims for these conditions were denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed stomach, shoulder, elbow, hip, wrist, knee, and asthma disorders are not etiologically related to his active duty service, including service during the Persian Gulf War. As a result, these claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran withdrew his claims of increased ratings and new service connection for various disabilities, including cervical spine, nasal disability, wrist carpal tunnel syndromes, bilateral hip disorder, and facet syndrome.

The Veteran's service-connected ganglion cyst of the left wrist has been rated at 10 percent since January 19, 2010.,The Board also granted a separate 10 percent rating for limitation of motion under DC 5215.

The Veteran's left wrist carpal boss disability has been rated at 10 percent since March 21, 2011. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for any period of time.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected conditions have not warranted an increased rating in any of the issues on appeal.

The Veteran is granted service connection for a retained metallic fragment in his left wrist, but denied service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome and De Quervain's tenosynovitis as secondary to the service-connected scar. The case is remanded for further development regarding entitlement to TDIU benefits.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's current left wrist and right shoulder disabilities to his time in service.,The preponderance of the evidence is against the claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination to address her fatigue and any related conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded her from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with her education and experience prior to July 31, 2009.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal as his substantive appeal was not filed within the required time limits.