Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected right wrist disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining SSDI records and VA vocational rehabilitation file. The Veteran is to be scheduled for an orthopedic examination to determine the nature and etiology of his back disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the unavailability of her service treatment records and the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's left distal ulna fracture is characterized by mild deformity, painful motion, and slightly diminished grip strength. The Board granted a 10 percent rating for this condition.

The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity is essentially normal; there is no nerve root irritation, loss of sensation, reduced muscle strength, or reduced grip strength, and diagnostic tests are normal. The criteria for a compensable rating have not been met.

The Veteran requested to withdraw the issue of an increased rating for residuals of a shell fragment wound in the suprapubic area. The Board dismissed this claim as withdrawn.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current osteoarthritis of the left ankle and left wrist is related to his military service, raising a reasonable doubt as to whether these conditions are directly related. The Veteran's complaints of pain in his ankles and wrists during active duty have led to arthritis diagnoses post-service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome is not related to his service or service-connected diabetes mellitus, and therefore denied the claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left knee disorder is attributable to an in-service injury, and thus service connection for this condition is granted.

The VA determined that the Veteran's right wrist disability is adequately reflected in the current 10 percent rating, and thus does not warrant an extra-schedular evaluation.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's hypertension is proximately due to his service-connected PTSD.,The Board also found that the Veteran's current left wrist disability was caused by a misdiagnosis of myeloma or melanoma at VA, which delayed treatment and contributed to his current condition.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his service-connected disabilities have been denied. The evidence does not support the assignment of higher evaluations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected right wrist and right foot disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, right middle finger injury, and right wrist injury were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service stressor.

The Veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

The Veteran's right hip bursitis and right wrist ganglion cyst have been rated at the maximum available rating of 10 percent. The Board finds that a higher evaluation is not warranted based on the evidence presented.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including scheduling a VA peripheral nerves examination and obtaining any outstanding medical records.

The Board has determined that the September 2001 rating decision denying service connection for a cervical spine disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and a right knee disability is final. New and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen these claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's right hand carpal tunnel syndrome is not related to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.