Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and a review of the claims file. The right wrist disability claim will be evaluated based on direct evidence, while the skin cancer claim will be reviewed in light of herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining treatment records from the NPRC and scheduling an examination to determine the nature and etiology of any right wrist fracture or residual thereof, as well as the current severity of his service-connected left wrist fracture.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his cervical spine disorder, left knee disorder, and left wrist posttraumatic arthritic changes. The initial rating of 10 percent for the left wrist disability is maintained.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of his claim for a general disorder of the joints and muscles. The Board found that new and material evidence had been received to reopen his left knee disability claim, but denied all other claims.

The Veteran's claimed peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities (carpal tunnel syndrome) was not found to be causally related to his service-connected hepatitis C or any other service-connected condition, and thus denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current right wrist disorders, including degenerative joint disease, are not causally or etiologically related to service. The Veteran's symptoms were not chronic in service and there is no evidence of continuity since service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to assess his bilateral hearing loss and left wrist disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have separate disabilities of the cervical spine, right shoulder, right wrist, or right hand that are attributable to active service. The VA examiner found no isolated disabilities and provided a rationale for this conclusion.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is related to his service.

The Board found that the Veteran's neck, wrist, hand, and right foot disabilities are not service-connected. The back disability was granted a 20% rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for ED, hemorrhoids, or hypothyroidism.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, carpal tunnel syndrome of the bilateral upper extremities with nerve damage, and impotence have been denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection in any of these cases.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development and clarification of the medical opinions provided in the December 2011 VA examination report.

The Veteran's right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome has been rated at 30 percent, the maximum available rating under Diagnostic Code 8515 for moderate incomplete paralysis of the median nerve. The Board finds that a higher disability rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA outpatient treatment records. A VA examination of his service connected disabilities will also be scheduled.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board cannot proceed with the merits of these claims as he is no longer alive.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing left wrist fracture with nonunion did not meet the criteria for service connection as his symptoms during service were due to the natural progression of the condition, rather than aggravation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right wrist disorder is etiologically related to his service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, a deviated nasal septum, and various musculoskeletal disabilities (back, right wrist, left ankle, left shoulder, hips) as well as recurrent UTIs and a left heel spur. These conditions are presumed to have been incurred during the Veteran's service in the Gulf War theater of operations.