Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations of his right wrist disability was denied, and he is not service-connected for any other conditions that would affect the rating. The TDIU issue remains pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea, fractures to the left wrist/hand, vertigo, and nose/sinus/throat problems did not begin in service or are otherwise related to service. The claims for these conditions have been denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's left ulnar mononeuropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome were not caused by VA carelessness, negligence, or similar fault. The event (the April 2008 surgery) was not reasonably foreseeable.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, and left shoulder condition.

The Veteran is granted an effective date of August 20, 2001 for the award of service connection for a right knee disability, a ganglion cyst of the left wrist and a disability of the left middle finger.

The Board found that the appellant does not have a right wrist disorder related to service or caused by his service-connected right fifth finger disorder.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left wrist ankylosis with ulnar neuropathy is not related to his service-connected left wrist disability and thus, denied. The Veteran's PTSD has been granted a 70 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right wrist fracture was granted, with a current disability rating of 10 percent effective August 12, 2010. The decision also noted the presence of mild carpal tunnel syndrome and triangular fibrocartilage tear.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current disabilities, including memory loss, neurological problems, cervical stenosis, and residuals of a thoracic spine compression fracture, are not related to his service-connected conditions or an in-service incident involving elevated arsenic levels. The claim for service connection is therefore denied.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for increased evaluations for various hand and wrist disabilities. The case is being remanded to obtain additional VA examination findings, as well as any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support granting any of the requested increases in disability ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have caused him to be in need of regular aid and attendance, as he is unable to bathe himself or protect himself from daily hazards without assistance.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of entitlement to an increased rating for a right foot disability and entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. Specifically, VA examinations are required to assess the current severity of the Veteran's right foot disability and determine whether his obstructive sleep apnea was caused or aggravated by his period of active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete service records and a need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have currently diagnosed right and left wrist disorders, right hip disorder, or back disorder. As a result, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral wrist disorder and skin disorder, finding no evidence of chronic conditions during or after service.

The evidence does not support the claim that the Veteran's current left wrist disorder is related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and completion of the TDIU application process.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right wrist disability causally related to, or aggravated by, active service. The claims for initial compensable and increased ratings for service-connected right great toe sprain and right shoulder sprain were also denied.