Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute to his death from multiple myeloma, which was not shown in service or within a presumptive period.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not sustain a disease or injury of the left ankle or bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome during service and does not currently have such disabilities. As such, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU from July 1, 2009 to September 8, 2009 is dismissed as moot due to the grant of a 100% schedular rating for coronary artery disease effective May 17, 2005. The appeal for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for additional disability from right wrist surgery performed at VA in April 2007 is dismissed as the Veteran's claim has been mooted by his already granted schedular rating.

The Veteran's cervical radiculopathy is found to be secondary to his service-connected cervical spondylosis, and the claim for carpal tunnel syndrome as secondary to cervical spondylosis is granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial schedular ratings and extra-schedular evaluations were denied. The TDIU claim remains part of the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of a chronic, ratable vision disorder or any associated disability as a result of his military service. His claimed right hand disorders are not due to disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by his military service. The criteria for a rating higher than 20 percent for his lumbar spine disability have not been met at any time during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity, which is claimed to be secondary to a service-connected left wrist disability, has been remanded due to insufficient opinion regarding whether the carpal tunnel syndrome was aggravated by the service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cervical spondylosis with degenerative changes was granted. Claims for arthritis of the left wrist and hand, both feet, left elbow, right elbow, shoulders, hips, ankles, and knees were denied.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities for further development, including obtaining a VA opinion on whether the Veteran is unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment as a result of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder disability, throat ulcers, hypertension, GERD, and fatigue. The decision is based on the current evidence not showing additional impairment beyond sensory disturbances in both feet.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to obtain additional service treatment records, verify dates of active duty and inactive duty training (IDT), and schedule a VA examination for his claimed cervical spine and right hand disabilities. The issue of PTSD will also be addressed in the statement of the case.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for multiple scars and dental treatment, finding that the evidence was in equipoise on whether his right knee disability caused injuries during a bicycle accident. The Court vacated this decision and remanded the case.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected left wrist disability was denied as the current symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's left wrist disability is not service connected as it is associated with his diagnosed cervical spine radiculopathy.

The Veteran's left wrist condition has been rated at 30 percent, and his right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome is found to be service-connected.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected right and left carpal tunnel syndrome do not warrant a rating higher than 30 percent for the right wrist and 20 percent for the left wrist, as they are characterized by no more than moderate incomplete paralysis of the median nerve.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. His right wrist disability was rated as 10 percent disabling, while his right ankle sprain was also rated at 10 percent. The Board found no evidence of ankylosis or other conditions that would warrant higher ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right carpal tunnel syndrome and ulnar neuropathy are not related to his military service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's posttraumatic arthritis of the left wrist is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available for this condition.