Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran does not have a neurological disability of either upper extremity, to include carpal tunnel syndrome or peripheral neuropathy, that was caused or aggravated by his service.

The Board has ordered another VA examination to determine if the Veteran's right wrist disability is related to service, including his reported in-service injury. The case will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to address his claims of service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left hand and a rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of dislocations of the right (major) finger, status post fusion of the PIP joint, with swan neck deformity of the right small finger.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were granted, with the effective date set at May 12, 2014. The Veteran was awarded service connection for radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations are granted. Service connection is established for hand tremors, bilateral wrist disability, reactive arthritis with sacroiliitis residuals, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and right shoulder inferior labral tear with acromioclavicular degenerative joint disease. Increased evaluations are assigned.

The Veteran's appeal of his claim for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome has been withdrawn by his representative.

The Veteran's ganglion cysts in both wrists are currently evaluated as noncompensable under Diagnostic Code 7819, and do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating based on limitation of motion or other functional impairment.

The Board has found that the evidence is in equipoise regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral cataracts and bilateral pterygium are related to his active service. The claims for rheumatoid arthritis of the shoulders, wrists, and hands remain pending as they require additional development.

The Veteran's bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy is etiologically related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type 2. The Board finds that the criteria for service connection have been met.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been withdrawn. The Board has also determined that the Veteran does not have an enlarged heart during the appeal period.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining STRs and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination, and attempting to obtain any outstanding federal records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right hand and left foot disabilities did not originate during her military service, including her Reserve duty. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The RO assigned non-compensable disability ratings for bilateral wrist tendonitis and left elbow tendonitis, effective April 21, 2010.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and an earlier effective date were dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal of increased staged ratings for PTSD, was satisfied with his current rating for burns to his right hand, arm, and wrist, and requested withdrawal of all other issues. The TDIU claim is addressed in a separate remand.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of in-service herbicide exposure or other service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's right carpal tunnel syndrome is currently evaluated as 30 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran seeks service connection for right and left wrist disabilities, including carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). The Board finds that a remand is required to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left carpal tunnel syndrome is related to her exposure to excessive hand vibration during active duty service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment, and the preponderance of evidence is against his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus type II with nephropathy, have been linked to several of his current conditions. The Board has granted secondary service connection for these conditions.