Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including tinnitus, a sleep condition, PTSD, major depressive disorder, headaches, and right CTS secondary to left CTS. The decision also addressed an increased rating claim for left wrist tendonitis/CTS.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a flexion contracture deformity of the right hand 5th digit is denied as there is no evidence that this condition had its onset during or is otherwise related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection or entitlement to an initial compensable rating for any of the conditions listed.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation higher than 10 percent for service-connected left wrist Keinbock's disease is being remanded due to the need for a new medical examination.

The Veteran's service-connected carpal tunnel syndrome of the bilateral hands and spondylosis with disc narrowing of the L4-5 have been granted, but his claims for increased ratings are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to accrued benefits and service connection for cause of death. The appellant's claims are pending further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss, right wrist disorder, and tinnitus) prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the criteria for a TDIU rating are met.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining his complete service personnel records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Veteran was also not granted earlier effective dates for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) or Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has granted a 30 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist, effective July 13, 2005. The Veteran's left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome with calcification is not rated higher.

The Veteran has requested to withdraw his appeal for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a left wrist disability, and the Board has dismissed the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic wrist and ankle conditions have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any claimed conditions and there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to her military service. As such, she was denied service connection for all issues.

The Veteran's right wrist navicular fracture presents such an exception that it renders impractical the application of the regular schedular standards, warranting a 10% extra-schedular rating.

The Board has granted service connection for PTSD and generalized anxiety disorder, but denied service connection for left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, memory loss disability, headaches, and excessive snoring. The appellant's tinea of the shoulder and groin areas are rated noncompensably disabling since September 15, 2003.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of his claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his National Guard service records and a VA examination to determine the etiology of his sleep apnea, left hand injuries, and left wrist injury.

The Veteran's pes planus is characterized by pronation, pain on manipulation, and calluses. The Board has determined that the preponderance of the evidence supports a 30 percent evaluation for bilateral pes planus.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for recurrent otitis media and cholesteatoma of the right ear, as well as a right wrist fracture, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the right ear condition or any compensable rating for the right wrist fracture.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for which service connection can be granted, except for a left wrist injury. The Veteran's testimony and medical evidence support her claim of having injured her left wrist during active service in 1991. As this is considered direct service connection due to an injury sustained during service, the Board has granted service connection for the left wrist injury.