Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, carpal tunnel syndrome, and increased ratings for hypoparathyroidism and hypothyroidism due to further development being needed.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a personal hearing, and no hearing has yet been conducted. The appeal is being returned to the AOJ for further review.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that there was no current disability or evidence of a chronic condition during service. The Veteran's testimony regarding his symptoms and treatment were considered but did not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected prostate cancer and related incontinence residuals have effectively resulted in loss of both lower extremities such as to preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair. As such, he is entitled to specially adapted housing.

The Veteran's bruxism and right wrist fracture have been rated as 10 percent disabling. The claim for higher ratings is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a bilateral wrist disability and low back disability was denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of these disabilities, nor any evidence of in-service injury or disease that could be linked to the conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right wrist disability, characterized by pain and reduced grip strength with mild soft tissue swelling and degenerative changes, does not warrant an increased evaluation beyond the current 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the right wrist disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by military service, and arthritis may not be presumed to have been incurred therein. The right knee and hip disorders did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical strain and right carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as his claim for a noncompensable rating for onychomycosis. The effective date of service connection for sleep apnea was set at June 5, 2009.

The Board has granted service connection for left knee and back disabilities, but denied service connection for right wrist disability. The Veteran's left knee condition is considered to have been aggravated by military service, while his back condition increased during service. His right wrist condition was not diagnosed at any point during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claimed disabilities, including those involving undiagnosed illnesses, are not shown to be related to her active duty service.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is rated at 30 percent, the maximum rating available under VA regulations. The other service-connected conditions are not entitled to higher ratings.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to her failure to report for a scheduled Travel Board hearing. She has requested that the hearing be rescheduled at the Atlanta, Georgia RO.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection of a chest disability, right wrist disability, and right ankle disability. The case is being remanded for further development including examinations to determine the likely etiology of these disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left arm carpal tunnel syndrome, right arm ulnar neuritis and carpal tunnel syndrome, and a stomach disorder. The decision found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active service and were not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's lymphatic or glandular disorder is not service-connected.,There is no evidence of a chronic arm disorder in service, and the current bilateral elbow and wrist arthritis are not linked to service.

The Veteran's right and left wrist disabilities are rated at 10 percent each, with no evidence of more than the normal limitations of motion or x-ray findings warranting higher ratings.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development of evidence, including obtaining updated treatment records and conducting further examinations. The Veteran's claims for service connection for wrist and neck disabilities are being reviewed.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for her degenerative spurring of the left wrist, as there is no evidence of additional functional loss due to pain or other factors. The service-connected bilateral Achilles tendinitis has been granted based on its onset during active service.