Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's cervical radiculopathy with paresthesias of the right upper extremity and right carpal tunnel syndrome is rated at 20 percent since May 12, 2004. The effective date for this rating has been granted as May 12, 2004.

The Board found that the Veteran's left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome was not related to service and denied her claim for service connection.

The Veteran's PTSD, migraine headaches, cervical spine degenerative changes including disc protrusion and myositis, right carpal tunnel syndrome, erectile dysfunction, dermatitis and tinea versicolor (previously shown as pityriasis versicolor), and arthritis have been granted service connection. The Veteran did not meet the criteria for increased ratings in excess of 30 percent prior to July 25, 2010, and in excess of 50 percent thereafter, for depressive disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraine headaches, right wrist disability, and stress incontinence all had onset during active service. The Veteran is therefore granted service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are denied as the evidence does not establish a current disability or link to service.

The Veteran's claims for right and left shoulder osteoarthritis, tendonitis of the left shoulder, and peripheral neuropathy of both shoulders were denied effective from June 18, 2003.,Claims for right and left wrist osteoarthritis were also denied effective from February 20, 2004.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right wrist disability is related to an injury he sustained during active military service, and thus grants his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's wife has multiple disabling conditions that require the aid and attendance of another person, qualifying him for SMC benefits. The claims for service connection for right shoulder impingement syndrome, hypertension as secondary to PTSD, and coronary artery disease (CAD) as secondary to PTSD are denied.

The Board is remanding the case due to missing documents in the claims file and a need for a hearing.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for viral hepatitis and found that new and material evidence has been received. Service connection is granted for viral hepatitis, cirrhosis of the liver, left and right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, left and right arm/elbow tendonitis, bilateral hip disability (secondary to left knee injury), and back disability (secondary to left knee injury).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and vocal cord polyps have been reopened, but further development is needed before the merits of these claims can be addressed. The Veteran also has a claim for an increased evaluation for hemorrhoids.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnoses of arthritis of the right wrist and thumb are not related to service, including his in-service injury. The criteria for service connection were not met.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left hand disability, including arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome, was not incurred or aggravated during service. The evidence did not show a chronic disease in service or continuous symptoms since service separation.

The Board granted a rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's service-connected right elbow/wrist disability with history of carpal tunnel syndrome, effective October 14, 2015. The claim for a higher rating prior to that date was denied.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a left wrist disability, as new and material evidence has been received. The claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability is granted due to in-service back pain that persisted post-service and was diagnosed with minimal arthritis within one year of separation from active duty. The claim for service connection for a left wrist disability remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected right wrist disability aggravates his currently diagnosed right shoulder arthritis, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for the right shoulder arthritis as secondary to the service-connected right wrist disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to incomplete development and need for clarification on the etiology of her syringomyelia.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left carpal tunnel syndrome was not caused or aggravated by his active service and therefore denied the claim.

The Board denied all issues on appeal, including service connection for various conditions and a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee disability. The Veteran's left knee was found to have limited flexion but no extension limitation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of his claims, particularly regarding numbness in his right thumb and index finger.