Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Board has determined that the appellant's carpal tunnel syndrome of both wrists warrants a 30 percent rating for the left wrist and a 20 percent rating for the right wrist, as they are currently evaluated.

The Veteran's PTSD is service-connected. The Board finds credible evidence of in-service stressors and grants service connection for PTSD. Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, low back disorder, left wrist strain, arthritis of the bilateral knees are not granted as there is no current diagnosis or medical evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied the application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for right wrist osteoarthritis, finding that new and material evidence had not been received since the last denial. The Veteran's previous claim was denied because there was no evidence of a right wrist disability in service or for many years thereafter, and because he did not indicate at the time of his fall that it was due to his service-connected right knee.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right wrist and thumb disabilities are being remanded to allow for additional examination and development of the record.

The Veteran's cyst on the right wrist and low back disorder are found to be incurred in service, while his cysts on the feet were not. The appeal for cysts on the feet is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Multiple Sclerosis and Anxiety Disorder, are severe enough to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. The decision grants a TDIU effective July 3, 2008.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service treatment records and conducting examinations to determine the nature and etiology of various conditions.

The Board found no evidence of current right hand or wrist arthritis, and the Veteran's bilateral shoulder arthritis is not shown to be related to service. Therefore, service connection for these conditions was denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis and other joint conditions, which are related to his active military service. The claim for special monthly compensation based on secondary loss of use of a creative organ is denied as there is no evidence showing such loss.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection are pending.

The Veteran's claims for initial higher ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities are denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 10 percent before November 17, 2008, and an initial rating higher than 20 percent from November 17, 2008.

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for degenerative joint disease of the left wrist was denied as his disability did not meet the criteria for a rating greater than 10 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral knee disorder is not related to his service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board granted service connection for nerve damage of the right arm, shoulder, and upper back as secondary to service-connected left upper extremity disability. The effective date for TDIU was set at June 24, 1996.

The Board has reviewed the appellant's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including PTSD, a cervical spine injury, and injuries to her right ankle and arm. The RO previously denied these claims in February 1998 and March 2000 due to lack of evidence linking the current conditions to military service. New evidence submitted since then does not raise a reasonable possibility of sustaining any of the claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service treatment records are unavailable and remands his claims for service connection due to a lack of evidence. The Veteran is requested to provide information regarding medical treatment for the claimed disabilities since his discharge from service, including alternate sources such as VA military files or private medical providers.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD and right wrist disability, as well as his requests for higher initial ratings for retropatellar pain syndrome of the left knee, bilateral shin splints, and thoracolumbar strain.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional evidence. The issues include seeking increased ratings for various knee and hand conditions, as well as seeking service connection for hip conditions.

The Veteran's claims for left ankle, bilateral hand, and bilateral knee disorders were denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions. The Veteran was found to have normal hearing with tinnitus in his left ear, which does not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's right shoulder acromioclavicular arthritis is rated at 10 percent. The claims for service connection of a prostate disorder, low back disorder, and bilateral wrist disorders are granted as new and material evidence has been received. The claim for service connection of the right elbow, low back, and left knee disorders remains pending.