Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected lumbar spine disability has been granted, with the assigned rating of 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right wrist drop, right hand weakness, and right shoulder weakness are related to his service. The Veteran's right arm disability is also considered secondary to these conditions.

The Veteran's right and left wrist strains have been evaluated at 10 percent throughout the appeal period, as they do not present an exceptional or unusual disability picture. The claims for increased ratings are denied.

The Board has found that the Veteran's currently diagnosed PCOS is related to her military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a neurological condition in his right wrist and finds that it is less likely than not related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's death was ruled due to his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and low back pain with degenerative disc disease. The Board found that the criteria for SMC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1114(s) were met as there was a single service-connected disability rated as total (PTSD) and an additional disability independently ratable at 60 percent (low back pain with degenerative disc disease).

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and left elbow disability due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's service-connected shoulder condition may have caused or aggravated his carpal tunnel syndrome, but this needs clarification.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and consideration of whether an extraschedular rating or additional benefits are warranted related to his right wrist disability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including anxiety NOS and PTSD, is granted. The claim for wounds from shrapnel to the left wrist and upper middle chest remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected right wrist disability is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent, and there is no evidence to support a higher rating based on ankylosis or other functional impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed disabilities affecting his upper extremities. Additionally, an SOC regarding service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II will be issued.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule him for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities, including physical and mental health issues. The appeals for service connection are not addressed as they were not part of the original claim.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for service-connected chronic left wrist strain was denied. The current rating is the maximum allowed under the applicable diagnostic code.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his painful left wrist scar and residuals of a left forearm fracture to include peripheral neuropathy were denied as the symptoms do not warrant higher schedular ratings.

The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand is rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of the decision. The issues regarding plantar fasciitis and sciatica have been resolved with appropriate ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination, and issuing a Supplemental SOC.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for left wrist pain, bilateral knee pain, stomach disability, pseudofolliculitis barbae, acquired psychiatric disorder, neck injury, and type II diabetes mellitus. The claims remain denied as new and material evidence was not received for right wrist pain, bilateral leg cramps, and skin disability of the fingers and feet.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his right foot and wrist fractures have been granted, with a 10 percent rating assigned in each case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left arm, shoulder, elbow, hand, and wrist disabilities, to include cervical spine disc disease with radiculopathy, are not etiologically related to his active service. The Veteran does not have a current free-standing diagnosis of a sleep disorder.