Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hand carpal tunnel syndrome and for increased ratings for her right and left foot calcaneal spurs, as well as for bilateral plantar fasciitis. The Veteran's knee disabilities are also not rated higher.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left median demyelinating sensory neuropathy of the wrist and elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, and causalgia is being remanded due to inadequate examination and incomplete medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected left elbow fragment tip is rated at 10 percent. Service connection for his left shoulder condition, bilateral eye conditions, hearing loss, hypertension, and lipomas are granted. The acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD, depression, and anxiety) is also granted.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of his May 2009 VA examination. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that further development is required to determine the etiology of the Veteran's current wrist, knee, and low back disorders. The case is REMANDED for additional development.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to a lack of consideration of diagnostic codes other than Diagnostic Code 8515 prior to April 10, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to assess the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities on his employability and associating all outstanding VA treatment records with the claims file.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left wrist disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and obtaining relevant medical records.

The Veteran's left knee patellofemoral syndrome and patellofemoral chondromalacia, as well as his right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, were found to have their onset during service. The Board granted the Veteran's claims for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including additional VA examinations and opinions regarding the severity of his left wrist disability and its impact on his ability to work. The case may also be referred to determine if an extraschedular rating is warranted.

The Veteran's combined rating for right wrist injury residuals, including osteoarthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome, was granted at a 70 percent level effective February 2, 2015. The appeal as to the separate rating for carpal tunnel syndrome has been withdrawn.

The Board found that the Veteran does not currently have backpackers' palsy (left brachial plexus injury) and his current peripheral nerve disability of the left upper extremity is due to carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and ulnar neuropathy, which are not attributable to service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, a back injury, and a psychiatric disability. The Veteran's statements regarding these conditions are considered insufficient to establish service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations to determine the severity of his right wrist residuals and whether he requires regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral upper extremity conditions are not related to his military service and are less likely than not caused or aggravated by any service-connected condition, including his non-service connected back disorder. As a result, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The claim to reopen a disability manifested by fatigue (undiagnosed illness) was not supported by new and material evidence, while the claim to reopen a disability manifested by joint aches (undiagnosed illness) was supported by such evidence.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current conditions, including bilateral hearing loss and various orthopedic disabilities, are not service-connected due to lack of evidence showing a direct relationship between his active service and these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbosacral spine disability and right wrist disability are being remanded due to outstanding private and VA treatment records, as well as the need for an addendum opinion from the September 2014 VA examiner.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to review these claims.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date and increased evaluation for left wrist arthritis was denied. The Board found that the earliest indication of a desire to file a claim for left wrist disability was in April 2005, which is when service connection was granted. The Veteran does not meet criteria for ankylosis or loss of use of the hand, so higher ratings are not warranted.