Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including VA examinations to address the nature and etiology of his claimed cervical spine disorder, left hand carpal tunnel syndrome, headache disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorders.

The Veteran's metacarpalgia of the left hand and carpal tunnel syndrome are found to be related to his service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected right fifth finger and wrist disabilities have been rated at the maximum available under VA regulations, with no additional compensable ratings for either condition.,The Veteran's residuals of a fractured mandible disability has not manifested to a compensable degree.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to inadequate medical opinion in a previous VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his right index finger fracture. The TDIU claim will also be addressed during this process.

The Veteran's service records do not show any complaints or diagnoses of peripheral neuropathy in his upper extremities. The VA examiner found no evidence of diabetic neuropathy and noted that the numbness was not related to diabetes. Service connection is denied as there is insufficient medical evidence linking the claimed conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left ring finger disorder is granted as it was incurred in service. The claims for service connection for hip disorders and for an increased rating for right hand injury are remanded for further development.

The Veteran is granted a rating of 10 percent for residuals of ganglionectomy and postoperative pilonidal cyst, effective April 24, 2008. The Veteran's right wrist has painful motion prior to this date.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's left wrist disability. The Veteran is seeking an initial compensable rating for this condition.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including cancer and joint issues, were denied as there was no evidence of a current disability related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for right wrist tendinitis, but denied service connection for right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

The Board found that the Veteran's current left hand condition is not related to his in-service injury and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board found that the Veteran's preexisting left wrist condition did not become aggravated during his first period of honorable service, and thus denied service connection for this disability.

The Board denied reopening of the claim for service connection for tinnitus and found that the Veteran's left wrist disability does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The lumbar strain was rated as 10% prior to May 28, 2008, and as 20% thereafter.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of ocular pressure, hyperlipidemia, and dental trauma issues due to her withdrawal during the October 2012 hearing. The claims for increased ratings for cervical spine disability, toes of the left and right feet, and osteoporosis are also dismissed as they have been withdrawn.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for any of the claimed conditions, including tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as panic attacks and PTSD), left knee disorder, right knee disorder, left wrist disorder, right wrist disorder, low back disorder, or neck disorder.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not service-connected as they were not incurred or aggravated during his active military service.

The Board found that the Veteran likely has bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome related to his service and does not have a right hand disorder other than carpal tunnel syndrome. The claim for service connection was granted.

The Veteran's claimed left shoulder, left knee, and bilateral wrist disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board denied these claims as the evidence did not support a direct link to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support higher ratings or service connection for the conditions appealed.