Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing bilateral shoulder, elbow and wrist disabilities did not undergo a permanent increase in severity during his service. Therefore, these conditions were not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the appellant's request for withdrawal prior to a decision being made.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, finding that the Veteran's current mild left ear hearing loss does not meet VA disability compensation criteria and there is no evidence of a current disability related to service. Right ear hearing loss was found to be related to active duty service.

The Veteran's residuals of a third metacarpal fracture and carpal tunnel syndrome have been evaluated at the 30 percent rating since November 8, 2005. The Board has found that these symptoms do not warrant an increase in disability rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed left wrist and left knee strains are not related to his military service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and updating records from the Social Security Administration (SSA). The Veteran's claim of entitlement to TDIU is currently pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating or service connection, except for reopening of his PTSD claim.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for residuals of a right hand crush injury and carpal tunnel syndrome since September 1, 2007 was denied as the disability does not approximate severe incomplete paralysis of the musculospiral nerve.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine disability and found that it is related to the Veteran's left wrist disability, right shoulder disability, and pulled groin muscle. The rating assigned remains at 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral lower extremity and upper extremity disabilities are not related to service or a service-connected disability, thus denying his claims.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left wrist disability is being remanded due to the need for a current VA examination and additional treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for a videoconference hearing at the Cleveland, Ohio RO due to the Veteran's request.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right wrist disability, claimed as a sprain, was denied because there is no current diagnosis of a right wrist disability.

The Veteran is unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities, and the Board finds that these conditions alone render him unemployable.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is currently rated at 10 percent for limitation of motion, and a separate 20 percent rating has been granted for mild incomplete paralysis of the radial and median nerves.,The Veteran's service-connected right wrist fracture resulted in both functional impairment due to pain and weakness as well as neurological symptoms.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left hand condition, including as due to an undiagnosed illness, is being remanded for further examination and etiological opinion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for a right wrist disability. The new evidence submitted does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for residuals of a right hand injury with carpal tunnel syndrome and traumatic arthritis was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the VA examination is inadequate and requires further development, including a new opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome with trigger fingers.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral ankle disability, right shoulder disability, and left foot disability have been denied as there is no competent evidence of current disabilities.