Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, which preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a left wrist fracture, finding that the Veteran's lay evidence was satisfactory and his in-service injury related to his current condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his post-traumatic osteoarthritis of the right and left wrists were denied. The right wrist was rated at 10 percent, while the left wrist was rated based on unfavorable ankylosis with ulnar deviation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right wrist fracture residuals do not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right wrist disability and has determined that there is sufficient evidence to establish that his preexisting condition was aggravated by service.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are found to be related to service, and the claim for service connection is granted.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD (including panic disorder with agoraphobia) is found to be related to service, and the claim for service connection is granted.,The Veteran's residuals of a fractured nose to include sinusitis are found to be related to service, and the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination to assess the severity of his left wrist disability. The issue of entitlement to TDIU has also been added due to the impact it may have on the increased rating claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional records and for further development.

The Board finds that the Veteran's fatigue, joint pain and myalgia are not due to an undiagnosed illness or a medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness. The symptoms are more likely related to his diagnosed conditions such as cervical spine disability, bilateral knee disability, wrist disability, diabetes with neuropathy, PTSD, and fibromyalgia.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a right wrist disability, which was diagnosed as degenerative joint disease and carpal tunnel syndrome. The case has been remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral wrist arthritis is service-connected and her bipolar disorder warrants a 50 percent disability rating from May 5, 2010 forward.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle and right wrist disorders have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability that is related to her military service. The claim for service connection for the left great toe disorder remains pending further evaluation.

The Board finds that the Veteran's pre-existing right wrist disability was not aggravated by active service and thus, denied his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right thigh contusion, left foot disorder, right wrist disorder, throat disorder (claimed as reflux), and low back strain.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance for her wrist brace because it did not cause wear and tear to her clothing, despite her assertion of financial hardship.

The Board's October 1971 decision denying service connection for right wrist disability and hypertension is overturned due to clear and unmistakable error (CUE). The Veteran's right wrist condition was found to have existed pre-service, but the Board incorrectly applied the presumption of soundness. His hypertension was not shown to be aggravated by service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right wrist and hand traumatic arthritis, skin disability (including chloracne), and neurological disability of the upper extremities to include peripheral neuropathy and/or carpal tunnel syndrome. The effective date remains August 1, 2008.

The Veteran's right wrist, recurring ear infections and sinusitis disabilities were incurred in service or are otherwise etiologically related to his active service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her hysterectomy residuals was denied, and she is not entitled to TDIU due to the severity of her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome was evaluated as 10 percent disabling from October 1, 2006, to July 31, 2012, and as 30 percent disabling from August 1, 2012, to November 13, 2013. The Board denied higher ratings for the periods on appeal.