Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the wrists and sleep apnea are being remanded due to procedural issues, including a lack of copies of relevant documents in his file.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected residuals of a fracture of the right wrist do not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, as there is no evidence of ankylosis or other conditions that would justify such a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for updated VA examinations and additional development of evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed right wrist and elbow disabilities are related to his active service, with the right elbow disability being secondary to a service-connected right hand disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing appropriate notice to the Veteran regarding her psychiatric disorder service connection claim.

The Veteran's right wrist fusion residuals are rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The appeal for increased ratings on other issues remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right wrist disorder, to include carpal tunnel syndrome, and left ankle and foot disability were not incurred in service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED to the RO via the Appeals Management Center (AMC) in Washington, DC for consideration of an extraschedular evaluation due to marked interference with employment.

The Board found that the Veteran's progressive arthritis of multiple joints did not have its onset during service and is not related to his service-connected cervical spine arthritis. The condition was determined to be a direct result of natural progression over time.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected degenerative joint disease of the right shoulder, right elbow, and erectile dysfunction do not meet the criteria for increased ratings or a TDIU. The low back disorder is denied as not related to service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for cervical radiculopathy of bilateral upper extremities is granted. His low back disability remains at a 20 percent evaluation, and his TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral wrist, elbow, and thumb disorders, as well as a left shoulder disorder, were denied. The claim for residuals of a fracture of the right ring finger was also denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a low back disability or bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased initial ratings for low back strain with degenerative disc disease, left knee disability, and right knee disability. The Veteran was not granted service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for left wrist Keinbock's disease remains at 10 percent, the maximum available under current criteria. The condition does not meet the criteria for ankylosis or any other higher evaluation based on limitation of motion.

The Veteran is seeking a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. The Board has determined that additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing an opinion regarding the impact of his service-connected conditions on his employability, is necessary.

The Veteran's right wrist and ankle disabilities have been evaluated as 10 percent disabling each, based on limitation of motion. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for either condition.

The Board has granted service connection for avascular necrosis of the right hip and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The claim for an increased rating for the Veteran's low back disability is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his left wrist and lumbar spine disabilities.

The Veteran's left shoulder disability is service-connected on a presumptive basis due to degenerative joint disease. His hypertension is also service-connected on a presumptive basis as isolated systolic hypertension.,For the remaining conditions, further examination and medical opinions are needed to determine if they are related to service or service-connected disabilities.