Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the case for clarification of the opinions regarding whether the Veteran's right wrist disorder is related to service or his work as a carpenter, and if it is secondary to his service-connected right fifth finger disorder.

The Board found that there is no medical evidence establishing a link between the Veteran's right hand crush injury during service and his current diagnosed nerve damage residuals (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome). The disability first manifested many years after service, and the VA opinions concluded it was less likely related to the in-service injury.

The Board found that the Veteran's right wrist CTS did not have onset during active federal service, his time in the Wisconsin Army National Guard, or his service with the USAR Control Group. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's right carpal tunnel syndrome with ulnar neuropathy was initially rated at 30 percent from May 1, 2008, to June 7, 2010. Since then, it has been rated as non-compensably disabling (less than 10 percent).,The Veteran's left carpal tunnel syndrome has been rated at 10 percent since May 1, 2008.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations to determine the current extent of his left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome and left hand trigger finger disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a cervical spine disorder, left and right shoulder disorders, a left knee disorder, a right wrist disorder, a left wrist disorder, tinnitus, and a sinus disorder. The appeal was based on new evidence submitted after her initial claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a videoconference hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a new Board hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the RO by videoconference.

The Veteran's claim for higher rate of special monthly compensation (SMC) under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1114(r)(2) is remanded due to the need for a VA aid and attendance examination, as well as obtaining all outstanding medical records.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and other conditions based on in-service exposure to noise and physical trauma. The Veteran's current symptoms are consistent with his reported history of service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's current left wrist condition, as well as whether there is at least a 50 percent probability or greater that she has a current left wrist condition that is etiologically related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing her with new VA examinations to address whether her current conditions are related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his left wrist fracture with posttraumatic degenerative arthritis and painful motion, finding that the residuals did not meet the criteria for such an increase.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding his hearing loss, right eardrum disorder, knee disorder, vertigo, dizziness, and wrist fractures.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection and initial compensable evaluation for right wrist repetitive motion injury has been granted. The neurological disorder of the left upper extremity (wrist) is also now service connected.

The Board has granted service connection for disability manifested by joint pain in the bilateral ankles, knees, wrists, and elbows. The joints with arthralgia (ankles, knees, wrists, and elbows) are considered to have no known clinical diagnosis.

The Board has determined that the appellant's current right wrist, left wrist, right knee, left knee, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities are not causally related to his service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied due to his failure to report for a scheduled VA examination. Without an examination, the Board cannot determine if the claimed conditions are related to service or secondary to other service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left wrist disability, including as secondary to his service-connected cervical spine degenerative disc disease and due to an undiagnosed illness, is being remanded for additional development.