Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's residuals of a right wrist fracture prior to August 5, 2011 are manifested by pain and normal range of motion. The Board has granted an initial 10% disability rating for this condition.

The Veteran's right and left carpal tunnel syndromes have been rated as 20 percent disabling, effective October 21, 2011. The cervical spine disability has also been rated as 20 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral wrist carpal tunnel syndrome is not related to service and therefore denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and right wrist ganglion cyst have been granted effective February 25, 2014. The Board found no evidence of a left foot disability or any other condition that would warrant an earlier effective date. The Veteran is also determined to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected carpal tunnel syndrome of the bilateral upper extremities has been granted initial evaluations of 10 percent, effective May 21, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the lack of identification of an available VA medical facility for his service-connected bronchial asthma and other conditions. The case will be readjudicated based on this information.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a neck disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, low back disability, or bilateral knee disability that is related to her active military service.,VA examinations confirmed diagnoses of DDD and DJD in the cervical spine, lumbar spine, and knees. The VA examiners concluded that these disabilities are less likely than not incurred during service.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a chronic neurological disability of the right upper extremity, and thus denied service connection for this condition. Service connection was also not granted for DJD of the right wrist as it did not meet the criteria for an initial 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left wrist disability was denied as there is no probative nexus evidence regarding an etiological relationship between his left wrist carpal instability and active service. The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder, NOS, currently rated at 50 percent disabling from September 22, 2005, under DC 9411 of the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hand and wrist tenosynovitis is not currently shown, and thus service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The Veteran's residuals of ganglion cyst and sinusitis have been evaluated as 10 percent disabling, the maximum under applicable diagnostic codes. The evidence does not show that these conditions warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's hypertension with claimed kidney infarct has been evaluated as noncompensable, while his left carpal tunnel syndrome claim remains pending. The Board finds that additional examination and/or development is necessary for the left carpal tunnel syndrome claim.

The Veteran's left hand carpal tunnel syndrome is rated at 20 percent effective June 26, 2013. The appeal for higher ratings prior to that date and for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder are dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA records.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied. The appeal seeking a TDIU rating was withdrawn by the Veteran's representative.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates have been denied as the earliest date of receipt of a claim is not prior to the assigned effective dates.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, or a bilateral eye disability. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected ganglion cysts of the right and left wrists, finding that the current 10% ratings adequately reflect the severity and symptomatology of his disabilities.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection for the Veteran's left wrist disorder, as it was not shown in service or for many years thereafter and is not related to service.