Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for clarification on whether his carpal tunnel syndrome and other neurological disabilities are related to his service-connected cervical spine disability. The case will be returned to the RO/AMC for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rate of SMC, for purposes of accrued benefits, was denied as the evidence did not support an assignment of an SMC rate in excess of the M-rate.

The Board granted service connection for the Veteran's inguinal hernia, bilateral, postoperative with scar and assigned a 10 percent disability rating effective from October 20, 2006. The decision also addressed other issues of service connection but did not reach a final determination on them.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's residuals of a right wrist fracture are related to her active service, and thus service connection is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a Travel Board Hearing at the RO. The issues of service connection for various disorders are still under consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including generalized arthritis of the joints, peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral hands, residuals of a cold injury to the left hand, tinnitus, and other disabilities have been denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 30% for migraine headaches.

The Veteran's service-connected cervical spine degenerative disc disease, major depressive disorder associated with cervical spine degenerative disc disease, and chip fracture left wrist prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment. The criteria for a TDIU are met on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right wrist disability or GERD, and his bilateral foot disability to include pes planus and hallux valgus is not service connected. The claims for impingement syndrome with arthritis of the left shoulder and right shoulder are also denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability is manifested by no more than slight instability, and her rheumatoid arthritis of multiple joints does not warrant a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on an extraschedular basis were denied.,Specifically, the Board found no evidence of marked interference with all forms of employment or unusual circumstances in relation to his left shoulder and wrist disabilities.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing left wrist disorder existed prior to his service and did not increase in severity during service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is entitled to service connection for chronic right wrist strain, chronic left wrist strain, biceps tendonitis of the right shoulder, and biceps tendonitis of the left shoulder.

The Board's decision on the claims to reopen for bilateral arm and wrist disabilities was vacated due to a denial of due process. The other issues remain pending.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU and an extraschedular evaluation for migraine headaches on initial rating basis in excess of 50 percent have been denied. The schedular evaluations previously assigned adequately encompass the nature and extent of the service-connected disabilities, including pertinent symptoms and manifestations thereof.

The appellant's combined disability rating is 70%, which does not meet the criteria for a TDIU as his disabilities are service-connected and do not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining relevant medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The issues of entitlement to an increased rating for her service-connected left knee disability and service connection for her claimed left hand and wrist disorder are pending.

The Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is found to be incurred in service. The initial compensable disability rating for hypertension, right pontine lesion, and cervical spine degenerative changes are denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, chip fracture of left talus, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, erectile dysfunction, hypertension, and gout. The Board found no evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left hand carpal tunnel syndrome are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for right brachial plexus injury with shoulder and elbow deficits and sensory deficits of the right wrist and hand was denied in April 1985, but he filed a request to reopen his claim on February 20, 1991. The RO granted service connection effective from February 20, 1991.,The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for right shoulder arthritis and gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances were also denied in April 1985, but he filed a request to reopen his claim on July 11, 2000. The RO granted service connection effective from July 11, 2000.