Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for bilateral wrist disabilities and hearing loss, as well as increased ratings for hand disorders. The evidence did not establish a current disability related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right wrist, bilateral knee, and left ankle disorders were not incurred or aggravated during active service. The VA examiner found no evidence of residuals from in-service injuries.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal, including the increased rating claim for residuals of left wrist fusion.

The Veteran's right hand strain, left wrist and hand disorder, headaches, and pelvic disorder are all found to be caused by or aggravated by her service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right wrist disorder, lumbar and cervical spine conditions, and other issues, have been granted. The effective date for the increased ratings is February 2002.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development due to the need for a new VA examination of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as they are not severe enough to prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn prior to the Board issuing a decision.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting further examinations. The claims will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected right hand disability was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a separate compensable rating for right wrist impairment or an extraschedular evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's bilateral wrist, knee, and ankle disorders. However, she does not have a current gynecological disability associated with her miscarriage in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as degenerative changes of the lumbar spine, was caused by his military service. The claim for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is remanded due to outstanding records and a need for additional medical opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the severity of his service-connected right wrist disability and whether he has a separate and distinct neurological impairment of his right hand.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected rheumatoid arthritis of the right elbow, left elbow, right wrist, left wrist, right hand, and left hand warrants a combined rating of greater than 60 percent. As such, the highest schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5002 is granted.

The Board found that there is no evidence to support a finding that the Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome was incurred in or aggravated by his military service.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple claims for increased ratings and effective dates, as well as a claim for TDIU. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure all relevant evidence is considered in the decision-making process.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and denied increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities. The Veteran's conditions are currently rated as follows: loss of use of both feet (100%), coronary artery disease (60%), PTSD (50%), arthritis of the lumbar spine (40%), peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity (30%), peripheral neuropathy of the left upper extremity (20%), diabetes mellitus, type 2 (20%), compression of the L5 nerve root with numbness in the left foot (10%), and erectile dysfunction (noncompensable).

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The appellant is seeking attorney's fees related to this decision, but the RO denied his request. The case is being remanded to issue a Statement of the Case on the underlying claim.