Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased rating, service connection, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The claims of diabetes mellitus and bilateral wrist disability will be addressed in a Statement of the Case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right wrist tenosynovitis warrants a 10 percent rating, as it does not meet criteria for higher ratings due to ankylosis or other functional impairment.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the issues of bilateral hearing loss, bilateral wrist disability, sleep apnea, and residuals of meningitis has been withdrawn.,The Veteran's bilateral pes planus clearly and unmistakably pre-existed active duty service and was not incurred or aggravated by such service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and missing records. The claims will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus type II was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on frequency of hospitalizations or visits to diabetic care providers. His service-connected carpal tunnel syndrome, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction were also considered in determining the appropriate disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and all issues on appeal have been dismissed.

The Veteran's urinary incontinence is rated at 40 percent, and the Board has granted a higher rating of 60 percent based on his need to change absorbent materials more than four times per day due to urine leakage.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected and non-service connected disabilities, including those related to a November 1981 motor vehicle accident. The claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain updated VA treatment records and SSA records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting right fifth finger disability did not undergo a permanent increase in severity during service, and no chronic right wrist disorder was incurred or aggravated inservice.,Regarding the left ankle issue, there is no evidence of an in-service occurrence of a left ankle injury. The current left ankle sprain is also not linked to active service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, left wrist disability, right toe disability, and left breast disability. A VA examination is needed to determine the current nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his service-connected conditions are not rated higher than the current assigned ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is granted, as it is found to be related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed back, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and right arm disabilities are not related to his active service. The evidence does not establish a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), but denied service connection for left carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has granted service connection for a cardiac disorder characterized as left anterior fascicular block and left axis deviation (claimed as chest pain). The Veteran's wrist disabilities are currently rated based on limitation of motion. A VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of his bilateral wrist disabilities, including any carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's left shoulder, right knee, and bilateral hand numbness disabilities have not been shown to be related to service. The Board finds that the preponderance of evidence is against these claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's current mental health disorder was not present in service or until many years thereafter, and no competent credible evidence linked it to service. The claims for nerve damage of the right upper extremity and increased rating for residuals of a wrist injury are also denied.

The Board has ordered additional development of the Veteran's claims due to outstanding VA treatment records. The case will be remanded for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to evaluate his PTSD and panic disorder with agoraphobia.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the service-connected allergic rhinitis has been withdrawn. The case is being remanded to issue a Statement of the Case (SOC) regarding his claims for initial noncompensable evaluations for onychomycosis and left hallux valgus, as well as his claims for service connection for right and left carpal tunnel syndrome.