Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability of left wrist, right ankle, or sciatica due to service. The evidence does not support a finding of a qualifying chronic disability for any of these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and conducting further examinations.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and evidence are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection of his bilateral wrist condition, back disability, and lung disability. The issues include determining whether these conditions are related to service or other factors.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and medical records related to the Veteran's hearing loss. The claims for service connection are also being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine are being remanded due to inadequate examination in May 2007. A new VA compensation examination is needed to consider all theories of entitlement, including direct, secondary, and presumptive service connection.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right wrist disorder, including as secondary to his service-connected fracture of the right index finger. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome is found to be service-connected due to its onset during his military service.,The Veteran's headache disorder is found to be secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disc disease.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left wrist disorder and granted it, finding that new evidence supports a current diagnosis of a left wrist strain. The Board also found that there is sufficient medical evidence to support secondary service connection for the cervical spine disorder causing radicular symptoms in the left wrist.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a chronic disability of the hands and wrists to include carpal tunnel syndrome and de Quervain's syndrome that is causally or etiologically related to his military service.

The Board has determined that a chronic left wrist disability was not manifest during active service and is not shown by the evidence of record. The Veteran's current left wrist symptoms are attributed to an injury unrelated to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies, but granted noncompensable initial ratings for right carpal tunnel syndrome, left carpal tunnel syndrome, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) effective November 8, 2010.

The Veteran's respiratory disability is attributed to tobacco use, not service exposure. The right wrist and elbow disabilities are found to be less likely related to service due to lack of in-service diagnosis or treatment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for disabilities of the left wrist, hand, arm, and foot/leg/toes, as they are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for joint pain as due to undiagnosed illness is being remanded for additional development, including an examination and review of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his authorized representative.

The Veteran's service-connected left index finger, status post open reduction, internal fixation (non-dominant) is rated at 30 percent. The RO reduced the rating for his scar from 10% to 0%, effective July 8, 2011. No compensable ratings were granted for the right wrist condition or automobile allowance/specially adapted equipment.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and correctly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including verification of his periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA), as well as obtaining any outstanding medical records. The case is therefore being REMANDED.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen his claims. The appeals were based on direct service connection.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's appeal should be remanded to allow for a videoconference hearing at his local VA Regional Office.