Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's original claims for service connection were filed on November 9, 2010, and granted by a May 8, 2012 rating decision. The effective date of these grants is set at November 18, 2010. The Veteran argued he should have received an earlier effective date based on his belief that he would have filed for service connection prior to November 9, 2010, if not for erroneous advice given during his separation physical examination in February 1961. However, the Board determined there was no evidence supporting this claim and denied the request for an earlier effective date.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 for a left fifth (little) finger disorder to include left carpal tunnel syndrome and osteoarthritis, which he claims was caused by negligent treatment at the Syracuse, New York, VAMC in March 2009. The Board has ordered additional development of his claim.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral wrist disability and respiratory disorder are denied as there is no current diagnosis of a bilateral wrist condition, and the respiratory symptoms are not due to an undiagnosed illness or exposure in service. The low back disorder claim is also denied as it is less likely related to service.

The Board found that the appellant's additional disabilities, including cervical spine radiculopathy and psychiatric disorders, were not caused by VA carelessness or negligence. The surgeries performed did not result in these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or in-service incurrences that could be related to the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's left wrist disability is due to his service-connected right ankle disability and has been granted.,The Veteran's right leg disability is also due to his service-connected right ankle disability and has been granted.,For the period prior to November 2, 2012, a 50 percent rating for depressive disorder has been granted. For the period since November 2, 2012, a higher rating is not warranted.,A 50 percent rating for migraine headaches has been granted.,For the period prior to November 5, 2012, a 10 percent rating for asthma has been granted. For the period since November 5, 2012, a higher rating is not warranted.,A 30 percent rating for TMJ disorder based on limitation of motion has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.,For all periods under appeal, a 20 percent rating for TMJ disorder based on unilateral loss of whole or part of ramus involving loss of temporomandibular articulation has been granted.,A 20 percent rating for the right ankle disability has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.,For all periods under appeal, a 10 percent rating for the lumbar spine disability has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.,For all periods under appeal, a 10 percent rating for the right knee disability has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.,For all periods under appeal, a 10 percent rating for the left knee disability has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.,A 10 percent rating for the right carpal tunnel syndrome has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.,A 10 percent rating for the right lower extremity neuropathy has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.,For the period prior to December 13, 2012, a 10 percent rating for GERD has been granted. For the period since December 13, 2012, a higher rating is not warranted.,For all periods under appeal, a 10 percent rating for the left ankle disability has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.,For all periods under appeal, a 10 percent rating for sinusitis has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a neurological condition in his right wrist, including carpal tunnel syndrome and peroneal nerve injury, which he believes are related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The current examination reports do not adequately address the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the addition of her child as a dependent for additional compensation purposes was denied because the first formal claim was received on May 7, 2012. The effective date is set at June 1, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left wrist disability is not related to his active service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of cold injuries, including neuropathy and paresthesias of the upper and lower extremities and carpal tunnel syndrome of the upper extremities. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, as he does not meet the percentage requirements under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a).

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and carpal tunnel syndrome. The appeals are granted.

The Board found no current low back, right elbow, left elbow, right wrist, or left wrist conditions to support service connection. The Veteran's symptoms were attributed to non-service-connected causes.

The Veteran seeks earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA benefits based on service-connected disabilities. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran was unemployable due to his service-connected conditions prior to November 13, 2006.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated employment history and medical records. The claims of entitlement to TDIU are also addressed.

The Veteran is seeking to establish service connection for right wrist and thumb disabilities that he claims are secondary to his service-connected left wrist and shoulder disabilities. The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule him for a video conference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge of the Board.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions and need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining complete service records and VA treatment records. The case will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board has reopened the previously denied claims of cervical spine strain and paranoid schizophrenia, but finds no current disability that can be related to service.