Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current back disorder is related to an injury sustained during active service, and grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new examination to assess his employability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to outstanding VA treatment records and need for new VA examinations.

The Board has determined that there is no competent and credible evidence establishing current right wrist disability or left hammer toe disabilities. Therefore, service connection for these conditions cannot be granted.

The Veteran's headache disorder was granted service connection, as it is considered to have been incurred in service. The right wrist disability claim remains pending and will be addressed at a future date.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, type II is granted as presumed due to herbicide exposure during service. Other claims are denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of entitlement to service connection for a left arm disability, a left wrist disability, and a left finger/hand disability prior to the Board's decision.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left wrist and right knee disabilities are not related to his active military service. The claim for residuals of a left wrist fracture was denied as there is no evidence of an in-service injury or arthritis within one year following discharge. The claim for right knee disability was also denied due to lack of direct service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected low back disability, right wrist fracture, and left hip scar were denied increased ratings. The Veteran did not seek service connection for bronchial asthma.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than July 15, 1991 for service connection are not warranted as there is no indication of a pending claim prior to this date.

The Board finds that the Veteran's currently-diagnosed bilateral tendonitis, multiple joint arthritis, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and right big toe gout are not related to service. The preponderance of evidence is against a finding that these conditions began in or are otherwise linked to service.

The Veteran seeks compensation for carpal tunnel syndrome of his left hand, claimed as secondary to residuals of a left elbow contusion. The RO denied the claim in October 2008 and has ordered remand due to additional development needed.

The Veteran's service connection for multiple joint and muscle pain, including fibromyalgia, has been granted. His left cubital tunnel syndrome is rated at 10 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neurological impairment of the right upper extremity, including peripheral neuropathy and right carpal tunnel syndrome, is related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. Therefore, the claim for secondary service connection is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's arthritis of the right shoulder, elbow and wrist was not incurred or aggravated during active duty. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is not entitled to a compensable rating for his scar residuals of excision of a ganglion cyst from the left wrist, as it does not cause any functional impairment. The right wrist tendon repair remains rated at 10 percent.

The Board has found that the Veteran's right carpal tunnel syndrome and right thumb arthritis are related to service. The remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, left hip disorder, right knee disability, and left foot disorder (plantar fasciitis) are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for her right carpal tunnel syndrome, right knee disability, left knee disability, and low back disability have been denied. The initial rating for the right knee instability has also been denied.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than March 18, 2008, for the grant of service connection for lumbosacral strain is denied. The RO has already assigned the earliest possible effective date provided by law.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right foot bunions and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome were not incurred in service, as there is no evidence of such conditions during his active duty. The VA examinations found no direct link between these conditions and his military service.