Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right wrist arthritis, left knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), finding that there was no evidence of these conditions during the appeal period or proximate thereto.

The Board found that the Veteran's left carpal tunnel syndrome did not manifest within one year of her separation from service and is not related to service, thus denying her claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his military service and therefore, denied all claims for service connection.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for the claims of depressive disorder, bilateral pes planus, hypothyroidism, and a bilateral shin disability during her hearing. The remaining issues are not addressed in this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals of a right calf injury, left foot disability (pes planus), and left wrist disability are not service-connected as they were either preexisting conditions or did not worsen during service.

The Veteran's left wrist ganglion cyst resulted in pain and limited motion, warranting a 10 percent rating. The ankle disability was rated at 10 percent for moderate limitation of motion. Both back and neck disabilities were also rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination. The Veteran is seeking service connection for left wrist pain, tingling, and swelling that he experienced during service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development as there are outstanding VA treatment records and the issues on appeal require further consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis of the wrists, elbows, and knees, and hemorrhoids have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or in-service events that could be related to these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he and his representative have agreed that a grant of total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) would satisfy all of the Veteran's pending appeals.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral wrist disability, Meniere's disease, and exostosis of the ears were all denied. The Board found that no effective date earlier than July 23, 2008 is warranted for the grant of service connection for Meniere's disease.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral wrist arthralgia and dysthymic disorder. The issue of entitlement to a Total Disability based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) is remanded due to the assignment of initial ratings.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess neurological abnormalities associated with the Veteran's service-connected left wrist disability and collection of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, sleep apnea, and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, are found to be so severe that they prevent him from securing or following any substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's left wrist disability and whether it is related to service or any other condition. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis and sprain of the thoracolumbar spine is manifested by forward flexion to 30 degrees or less, warranting a disability rating of 40 percent.

The Board has ordered a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current left shoulder and right wrist disabilities. The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to his failure to report for the scheduled examination.

The Veteran's service-connected tinnitus is assigned the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent. The claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus is denied as there are no legal grounds to assign a higher evaluation under Diagnostic Code 6260. For ED, the RO has already granted service connection and assigned the minimum (zero percent) evaluation allowed by law.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome, right hand, was not incurred in active service. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is also denied as there is no indication of its onset during or related to his military service.