Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbar strain and cubital syndrome of the right elbow with history of carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist are being remanded due to inadequate consideration of functional loss, additional range of motion after repetitive use, pain on movement, and interference with sitting, standing, and/or weight bearing. A new VA examination is needed for both conditions.

The Board has decided that a remand is necessary to obtain updated medical evidence and schedule the Veteran for a VA examination. The claim will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Statement of the Case (SOC) on the service connection claim and further development on the temporary total evaluation claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that there was no evidence of in-service exposure to herbicides or other factors linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the appellant's current back, shoulder, foot, and hand disabilities did not manifest during his periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA), and are not etiologically related to service. As such, service connection was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for a gastrointestinal disorder (GERD and gastritis) on the basis that it was incurred in or aggravated by service. The remaining issues of service connection for residuals of malaria, left arm disorders, bilateral leg disorders, psychiatric disorders, and dizziness/hot flashes are remanded for further development.

The Veteran withdrew the claim for service connection for reflex sympathetic dystrophy for multiple joints including the right wrist, right elbow, right shoulder, knees, neck, hands, legs, upper back, and lower back. The claims for service connection for a left wrist condition, right hip condition, and sleep apnea were not substantiated by the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran is currently receiving the maximum schedular rating for his right index finger disability, which has been rated as 10 percent disabling under Diagnostic Code 5229 due to limitation of motion. Service connection was not granted for blurred vision or visual impairment, arthritis of the right wrist, and a left knee disability.

The Veteran's right wrist degenerative joint disease and tenosynovitis are found to be related to her service-connected carpal tunnel syndrome, thus granting service connection for these conditions as secondary to the service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a Board videoconference hearing at the RO. The issues of service connection and ratings for knee disabilities are still pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and special monthly compensation based on loss of use of the left hand are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a supplemental opinion from the examiner who conducted the December 2009 examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left hand disability is less likely than not related to his service, including any in-service motor vehicle accident and burn injury. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding of service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further action due to inadequate examinations in previous decisions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension and initial ratings for diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction and diabetic retinopathy, as well as his left wrist disability. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for right and left carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as associated radiculopathy in the upper extremities, were denied by the Board. The current ratings of 10 percent are deemed adequate.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected knee and wrist conditions have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates for service connection have been dismissed as the claims are legally insufficient due to withdrawal of appeal and finality of previous decisions.

The Veteran's initial compensable disability ratings for left and right wrist strain with degenerative changes have been granted, effective prior to January 27, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case due to scheduling issues and will schedule a Travel Board hearing for the Veteran.