Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's right wrist tendonitis claim has been reopened and granted. His right knee patellofemoral syndrome is rated at 10%.

The Veteran's right little finger disability, including carpal tunnel syndrome, is service connected and rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations. The claim for an initial compensable rating for his right little finger crush injury with residual scar is granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his right wrist disability, finding that symptoms of painful motion and clicking did not meet or approximate criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent. The issue of TDIU was referred to the RO.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for carpal tunnel syndrome, which he claims was caused by a surgical procedure at a VA medical center. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran sustained an additional disability as a result of the surgery and whether it was proximately caused by carelessness or negligence on the part of VA.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected carpal tunnel syndrome, left hand is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of records.

The Veteran's left wrist ganglion cyst, status post removal, was initially rated at 10 percent prior to April 8, 2014. From that date, the rating has been increased to 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected carpal tunnel syndrome of both upper extremities does not warrant a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure of VA examinations and undeliverable mail. The case will be returned for further action, including scheduling new examinations.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for his service-connected chronic nonunion, left navicular fracture (minor left wrist) was denied by the Board. The disability has not been manifested by ankylosis and does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including a right ankle condition and its secondary effects on his knees, hips, back, and carpal tunnel syndrome. The Board will review the evidence to determine if new and material evidence has been submitted and to decide whether these claims should be granted.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left wrist disorder, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and increased ratings for his right knee disability and distal index finger disability. The Veteran's current disabilities were not found to be related to service or due to any other compensable basis.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and assigned a disability rating of 70 percent, effective from May 5, 2009 to July 25, 2013. The Veteran's other claims have been denied.

The Board finds that the appellant likely had in-service hand and arm trauma and has a current right hand and arm condition. The medical opinion indicates that there is at least equipoise evidence regarding whether there exists a medical nexus between the current condition and service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left hand, PTSD with mood disorder, and residuals of middle finger fracture of the left hand have been granted. The Veteran is also entitled to a compensable rating for residuals of middle finger fracture of the left hand.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is rated at 10 percent, effective December 1, 2009. The earlier effective date for TDIU rating has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hand disability was reopened and granted. The Board found that the Veteran has current diagnoses of carpal tunnel syndrome, which is related to his military service. However, the knee and foot disabilities have not been evaluated due to lack of evidence or examination.

The Veteran's initial rating claims for his service-connected bilateral shoulder, wrist, hand, and elbow disabilities have been denied. The Veteran was granted compensable ratings for degenerative arthritis of the right and left hands, as well as initial ratings of 10 percent each for his elbows and wrists.

The RO denied service connection for hypertension, migraine headaches, right and left knee arthralgia, right and left wrist pain, sinusitis, and residuals of fracture, right leg based on findings that no current disability was shown.

The Veteran's right wrist disability, diagnosed as degenerative joint disease of the right hand and wrist, was incurred in service.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left upper extremity neurological disorder was not incurred in active service and denied his claim for service connection.