Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for residuals of left tibial tubercle fracture with osteoarthritic changes and chronic chondromalacia of the knee; entitlement to a rating in excess of 30 percent for recurrent subluxation of the left knee; and entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, bilateral eye disorder, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, gout, hypertension, hypertensive heart disease and osteomyelitis.

The Board has found that the Veteran's right carpal tunnel syndrome is related to service, resolving doubt in her favor.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues including increased evaluations for various disabilities, reopening of service connection claims, and a TDIU claim. The case is being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records, an appropriate VA examination, and issuance of a statement of the case.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional records from SSA and VA Fayetteville.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is rated at 20 percent, the maximum available rating under Diagnostic Code 5271. The ratings for his right wrist and left wrist disabilities remain at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional information and evidence, including reserve duty dates, personnel records, and examination reports.

The Board has determined that cervical radiculopathy of the right arm is related to service-connected intervertebral disc disease of the cervical spine, and carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand was not manifest during or within one year after service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for residuals of a broken right wrist is granted, as the Board finds that his current wrist condition is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluation, SMC based on loss of use of the left upper extremity, and SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance are being remanded due to insufficient evidence. Further development is needed to determine if the service-connected conditions result in loss of use of the hand or upper extremity.

The Board has granted service connection for numbness and tingling of the fingertips and both hands (bilateral CTS), finding that it was incurred in service.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing due to the Veteran's request for postponement of his hearing.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection. For his right knee and right wrist conditions, further examination is needed to determine if they are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral wrist disability, including carpal tunnel syndrome was denied as there is no current evidence of a diagnosed condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and a medical opinion regarding her right 5th toe disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of her right wrist disability and etiology of her syringomyelia. The RO/AMC will also readjudicate her claims for increased rating and service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc and joint disease of the lumbar spine, hypertension, tinnitus, right wrist degenerative joint disease, bilateral plantar fasciitis, bilateral hearing loss, and a right wrist scar, are considered in determining whether he is unemployable due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disorder, right ear hearing loss, chronic urinary tract infections, and bilateral wrist disorder. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for these conditions as they are determined to be unrelated to her military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and a low back disorder, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to her active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal includes claims for increased ratings, an effective date assignment, and service connection for various conditions. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain outstanding treatment records from Waycross Orthopedics and to issue a Statement of the Case regarding the effective date claim.