Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right wrist disability was denied as the evidence did not show ankylosis or other conditions that would warrant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining VA records and scheduling examinations. The claims will be readjudicated based on all evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including new VA examinations and consideration of his service connection claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's service connection claims for cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, sinus, left hip, right hip, and left wrist disabilities. The Veteran's current conditions were not found to be related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for a right wrist disorder and left knee disorder due to incomplete examination reports, lack of consideration of certain service records, and need for updated VA treatment records. The Veteran's claims will be returned to the RO/AMC for further development.

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

The Veteran's cervical spine degenerative disc disease has been rated at 20 percent since June 20, 2005. The Board found that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his disability based on the range of motion and symptoms reported.

The Board denied service connection for traumatic arthritis and/or carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand, finding no evidence of a chronic condition that was present during or within one year after service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating were denied. The Veteran was not granted service connection for a benign right renal cyst, post laparoscopic radical nephrectomy due to lack of evidence linking the condition to his military service or exposure to contaminated drinking water at Camp Lejeune. His claim for an increased rating for recurrent left wrist ganglion cyst was also denied as there is no evidence showing that the current disability has worsened since the last examination in 2011.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, right elbow disability, and diverticulosis were denied as there was no evidence of current disabilities or in-service occurrences/nexus to service.

The Veteran is granted service connection for residuals of injury to the right upper extremity, including lateral epicondylitis and wrist tenosynovitis, as these conditions are found to be due to an in-service injury.

The Board determined that a timely substantive appeal was not filed following the July 2008 rating decision denying service connection for various disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current arthritis of the right arm, wrist, ankle, and back injury did not develop or permanently increase in severity during any period of service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in an impairment of his ability to prepare for, obtain, or retain employment consistent with his abilities, aptitudes and interests.

The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the upper right extremity was initially granted a 10 percent disability rating effective November 24, 2006. From September 11, 2012, he is now rated at 30 percent for this condition.,For his carpal tunnel syndrome of the upper left extremity, a 10 percent disability rating was granted effective November 24, 2006. No higher rating has been assigned since that date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of her claims, including obtaining more recent VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various disabilities and to reopen a claim for his bilateral eye disorder have been withdrawn. The Board finds that the Veteran is permanently and totally disabled for VA pension purposes based on his SSI disability determination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that his combined disability rating of 90% supports the grant of TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed right carpal tunnel syndrome and right ulnar neuropathy are not related to his military service or any of his service-connected disabilities, leading to a denial of these claims.