Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Board has denied all issues on appeal except the claim for a higher initial evaluation for tinnitus, which is addressed in the decision.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and the appeal for higher ratings has been denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral wrist disability, including as secondary to his service-connected thoracic spine and bilateral shoulder disabilities, is denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have any residuals of the bilateral wrist tendonitis he received treatment for in service or chronic disability of either wrist during the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a left wrist disorder, right wrist disorder, and back injury was denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current left wrist disability related to his active service.

The Board denied service connection for right ear hearing loss but reopened the claim for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The Veteran's right ear hearing loss was not found to meet VA standards, and his bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome was not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's post-traumatic arthritis of the left wrist with auto fusion is currently rated at 30 percent, and his service-connected residuals of liposarcoma are rated as non-compensable. The Board finds that a higher rating for either condition is not warranted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including adjudicating the veteran's new claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder and hip disabilities as secondary to his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities. The T/R claim will be readjudicated based on all of the veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board found no current residuals of a right wrist sprain and denied the claim for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected left wrist injury and its impact on his ability to work.

The Veteran's left wrist disability was rated at 40 percent since February 2, 2010. The VA examiner found that the pain and limitation of motion were significant enough to warrant this rating.

The Veteran's claims for an earlier effective date for bilateral hearing loss, a compensable rating for residuals of right cheekbone fracture, and service connection for various conditions have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an earlier effective date prior to June 13, 2003, as no claim was filed before this date. The Veteran's other claims were also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and the possibility of obtaining private medical records.

The Veteran's initial compensable ratings for his service-connected right dorsal wrist ganglion cyst and intermittent C6-7 radiculopathy without motor/sensory defect were denied. The Veteran failed to report for scheduled VA examinations, which resulted in the use of medical evidence from his service treatment records.

The Board found no service connection for the claimed conditions, including bilateral shoulder/hand/wrist disorders and a neurological disorder manifested by numbness in arms and legs. The Veteran's claims were denied as there was no objective evidence of such disabilities during or within one year after service.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in writing prior to the Board's decision.

The Board has granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death and dismissed the claim for DIC under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318.

The Veteran's left wrist disability and associated peripheral neuropathy have been granted, with a 10% rating effective from August 31, 2007.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for residuals of hand and wrist burn injuries and hypertension due to insufficient evidence or procedural errors.

The Veteran's claim for service connection due to Agent Orange exposure is denied. The claims for service connection for lower right abdominal pain, numbness and tingling of the feet, hands, arms and back, small colon colectomy, pericardectomy, and carpal tunnel syndrome release are all denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of whether an extraschedular evaluation is warranted.