Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, sleep apnea, atopic dermatitis, TMJ disorder, a bilateral foot disorder, and conjunctivitis. The denial is based on new and material evidence not having been received to reopen these previously denied claims.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the left wrist has been denied. Prior to July 31, 2013, he was not entitled to a rating in excess of 10 percent. Since then, he is not entitled to a rating in excess of 40 percent.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, was denied as he does not have a current diagnosis of such. His claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a left wrist ganglion cyst is withdrawn.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to afford him a VA examination for his upper extremity radiculopathy and carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as an orthopedic and psychiatric examination for his low back disability and PTSD. The case will be readjudicated after all appropriate development.

The Veteran's claim for an extension beyond August 31, 2003 for a temporary total disability rating based on convalescence following surgery on May 13, 2003 for a service-connected residual fracture of the left wrist with carpal tunnel syndrome was denied as his surgery did not necessitate convalescence beyond that period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for any of his claimed conditions, including hearing loss in the left ear and tinnitus. The claims are denied.

The Board has dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations. The case will be reconsidered after these are obtained.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including verifying service dates and obtaining medical records. The Veteran's claims for service connection for psychiatric disorders and wrist conditions are also being reviewed.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for patellofemoral syndrome of the right knee and granted it. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for GERD, left wrist tendinitis, right wrist tendinitis, spurs and ununited fracture of the left ankle, spurs of the right ankle, or muscle tension headaches as they are not related to his active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right wrist, right knee, and skin disorder of the back were denied. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found no evidence of a current right wrist disability, and the Veteran did not have a chronic right wrist condition during service. The Board concluded that there was no direct or presumptive service connection for his right wrist disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's left upper extremity disabilities did not have onset during his active service, were not caused by his active service, and arthritis of his left upper extremity did not manifest within one year of separation from his active service. Therefore, the claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for service connection for hypertension and a TDIU. The Board has remanded the hypertension claim due to disagreement with its denial, while the TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's right wrist disability, manifested by ankylosis with limited dorsiflexion, is rated at 20% since December 10, 2010. The initial rating of 10% was maintained from September 30, 2006 to December 9, 2010 and the Veteran's current condition since May 2, 2014.

The Board has remanded the case for a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO regarding the claims to reopen service connection for a low back disability and service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left carpal tunnel syndrome is not related to service, and thus denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for allergic rhinitis, a right wrist sebaceous cyst, and a compensable initial rating for sinusitis have been withdrawn. The Board also found that the Veteran does not currently have cellulitis or ulcerative colitis.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his right wrist disability was denied. The Board found that the current 20 percent rating adequately reflects the severity and symptomatology of the service-connected condition, as it is based on limitation of motion. For the right thumb disability, a remand is necessary to obtain clarification from the examiner regarding whether ankylosis of the right thumb constitutes favorable or unfavorable ankylosis.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral wrist fractures were not caused or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and thus denied the claim for service connection.