Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current degenerative joint disease of the left wrist is related to a fracture injury in service, and thus grants service connection for this condition. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as bipolar disorder) remains pending.

The Veteran's right wrist disability was evaluated at a maximum of 30 percent since March 22, 2004. From June 3, 2009 to prior to June 28, 2012, the Veteran received a noncompensable evaluation for his peripheral neuropathy of the right hand. Since June 28, 2012, he has been rated at 20 percent.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is pending and will be adjudicated in conjunction with the other issues on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for linear scleroderma of the scalp prior to February 12, 2008, and in excess of 30 percent as of that date was withdrawn by the Veteran.,The Board found no evidence showing a left wrist disability manifested during service or due to a service-connected condition. The Veteran's current left wrist disability is not considered secondary to her service-connected left elbow medial epicondylitis.

The Veteran's service connection claim for migraine headaches was granted, and he is now receiving a 10 percent rating for his residuals of a fracture of the left fifth toe.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as the claims for an initial compensable rating for right wrist strain prior to February 3, 2011 and for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent since that date were not substantiated. The claim for service connection for a cervical spine disability was also denied.

The Board granted a 40 percent evaluation for low back strain since June 8, 2010. The Veteran's claims of service connection for sleep disability and increased evaluations for left ankle sprain were also granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to deficiencies in the VA examiner's opinion regarding the claim for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome. The Veteran is considered to have carpal tunnel syndrome, and a medical opinion is needed linking it to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is service-connected.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus is granted due to herbicide exposure during service in Korea.,Chronic upper respiratory disorder (bronchial asthma) is not service-connected.,Depressive disorder secondary to service-connected bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is not service-connected.,Low back disorder is not service-connected.,Intestinal disorder is not service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his left wrist disability was denied. The claim is based on direct service connection and the current rating adequately reflects the functional impairment due to pain, weakness, decreased strength, stiffness, guarding, less movement than normal, swelling, and fatigability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of his service records.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to a right wrist disability resulting from VA treatment in May 2010 is denied as there is no evidence that the care provided caused or aggravated an additional disability.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a low back disability but denied all other claims due to lack of current diagnoses and no in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Board denied service connection for a right wrist disability and dismissed the claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU.

The Veteran's left wrist cyst residuals are rated at 20 percent, and his right spermatocele is rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with alcohol abuse and major depression and bilateral hearing loss, occurred no earlier than December 11, 2007.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right eye disability, bilateral wrist disabilities, and low back disability were not incurred in or aggravated by military service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left carpal tunnel syndrome has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the symptoms described, which were consistent with mild numbness and weakness without more severe impairment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right wrist and/or hand disability, claimed as carpal tunnel syndrome and degenerative joint disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is related to his service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.