Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right hand and left wrist disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations to accurately assess the extent of disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip, right ankle, left wrist, and right wrist disabilities. The preponderance of evidence is against finding that these conditions are related to active military service.

The Board denied service connection for a right wrist disability and denied increased ratings for the Veteran's right hip and cervical spine disabilities. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or aggravation, and the preponderance of the evidence was against a nexus between current right wrist disability and active duty.

The Board has granted service connection for a right wrist disability and has reopened the claim of service connection for a right knee disability, finding that new evidence received since the last final denial shows a current diagnosis of a right knee disability and relates to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate the claim.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for her left wrist ganglion cyst was denied, and the GERD/pelvic adhesion issue had its effective date prior to August 28, 2007 denied. The Board found that there were no symptoms warranting a higher rating for the left wrist condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine, lumbar spine, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and left upper extremity radiculopathy were denied. The VA examiners found that the Veteran's conditions did not warrant a higher rating based on their current manifestations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral wrist and knee conditions have been denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a current diagnosis of these conditions, and thus cannot establish service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's service connection claims for pseudofolliculitis barbae, left wrist ganglion cyst, multiple muscle and joint pain, right leg bone condition, tinnitus, and back disability as new and material evidence was not received to reopen these claims. The Veteran's current back disability is not related to his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected left knee and wrist disabilities do not warrant a higher rating as the evidence does not show that they meet or approximate the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating. The Veteran will need to undergo examinations related to his bilateral CTS, psychiatric disorder, bilateral knee disorder, hearing loss, tinnitus, and hypertension.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is denied as there is no evidence linking the condition to his military service. His claim for an initial compensable rating for residuals of fracture of the left fifth finger remains pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as his right wrist disability has not prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for a right wrist disorder and diabetes mellitus type II, finding no evidence of these conditions during or after service. The Veteran's claim was reopened due to new evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the schedular percentage criteria for consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a) and his claim is remanded due to a lack of an examination addressing the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's service-connected right wrist fracture was evaluated at a 10 percent rating from April 20, 2010. The disability is currently rated as the maximum allowable under the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Veteran's right wrist disability, which includes a history of a fracture and current osteoarthritis, does not meet the criteria for an increased rating beyond the currently assigned 10% due to lack of favorable ankylosis in dorsiflexion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including herniated disc of the lumbar spine and arthritis affecting multiple joints, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted entitlement to TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran does not have any current right elbow, wrist, hand, or foot disability, left hand disorder, or dermatophytosis of the feet related to any in-service injury or condition, or to service in any other way.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a right wrist disability that he believes is related to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. The case has been remanded due to the need to obtain additional VA treatment records and to schedule the Veteran for an examination.

The Board has denied all service connection claims as the Veteran does not have any diagnosed disabilities for which he can be granted service connection.