Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability is not etiologically related to service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection. The remaining claims of increased ratings for a deviated septum and left hand scar, as well as service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, are also being remanded.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current disability of any of the claimed conditions, and there is no evidence linking these disabilities to service. The VA examinations and VHA specialist opinions do not support a finding that any of the disabilities are related to the 1969 motor vehicle accident.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder, right knee disorder, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The gastrointestinal disorder claim is being remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board found no evidence of a left wrist injury during service and concluded that the Veteran's current left wrist condition is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected right wrist tendonitis has not met the criteria for a higher rating since December 29, 2006 and from February 27, 2009. The current ratings are appropriate based on the range of motion findings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations and consideration of the additional evidence received.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a hearing at the RO or via videoconference.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a video-conference hearing and issuance of a statement of the case regarding his left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is manifested by arthritis with pain, weakness, and fatigue associated with motion. The Board finds that the criteria for a 30 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5214 are more nearly approximated than those for a 10 percent rating under Diagnostic Code 5215.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly the neurological impairment affecting his lower extremities, render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's asthma is currently rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 6602.,The Veteran's left wrist and forearm strain are currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Codes 5214 and 5215.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder, an increased rating for right carpal tunnel syndrome, and initial evaluations greater than 10 percent for right wrist and ankle surgical scars. The TDIU claim was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of osteoarthritis of the knees was denied. For his service-connected rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis of the hands and wrists, he is granted a 10% rating for each hand and wrist, but not higher.

The Board has remanded the case due to difficulties in obtaining VA treatment records from prior years. The Veteran's claims for service connection are pending and will be reviewed again after these records are obtained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's degenerative osteoarthritis of the right wrist was caused by a metal sliver that lodged into his wrist during service. The Veteran's current breathing problems are presumed to be due to exposure to asbestos in service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his left wrist injury residuals and determine if his right wrist DJD is related to his service-connected left wrist disability, and providing a medical opinion regarding secondary service connection.

The Veteran's additional wrist disabilities, including CTS and osteoarthritis, are not etiologically related to his service. His left shoulder strain with degenerative joint disease is linked to his service.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is found to be related to service, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development to determine the relationship between his bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and post traumatic stress disorder with respect to his military service, including any potential exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's service-connected left wrist disability has been rated as 10 percent disabling since April 20, 2011. Prior to that date, the disability was not compensable.