Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, as they have a mild to significant effect on his employability but do not make it impossible for him to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected right wrist scar is rated at 10 percent, effective from the date of claim. A temporary total rating based on convalescence following his December 2006 surgery was denied as it must be denied by operation of law.

The Veteran's right wrist disability, which is manifested by unfavorable ankylosis and loss of grip strength due to repetitive use, meets the criteria for a 50 percent evaluation. The Board has determined that this condition warrants a higher rating than the current 40 percent assigned.

The Board denied service connection for a back disorder, heart disorder, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities. The Veteran's current back condition is not due to or related to in-service disease or injury.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for the residuals of bilateral ankle sprain and left wrist injury (claimed as 'weak wrists') have been denied. The Board found no evidence of chronic disabilities in service or at any time thereafter.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, right ankle injury, gastrointestinal condition, non-union of the scaphoid (right wrist), right hand and finger condition, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD), and sleep apnea were all denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including an updated VA examination and consideration of the issues raised.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected residuals of right wrist fracture and scar are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to insufficient medical evidence linking the Veteran's current wrist conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right wrist disability, deviated septum, and retention cyst of the left antrum were denied. The RO assigned a 20 percent rating for the right wrist disability under DC 5211.

The Veteran's left wrist disability, characterized by mild degenerative changes and limited motion, does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to August 21, 2009. The RO increased his evaluation to 10 percent effective from August 21, 2009.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records from various medical facilities and service personnel records. The appellant's right shoulder and arm disability will be evaluated based on whether it had its clinical onset in service or is otherwise related to active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found that hyperlipidemia is not a disability for VA compensation purposes and thus cannot be granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD), arthritis, left wrist sprain, and lumbar strain have been denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not meet the diagnostic criteria for PTSD in accordance with VA regulations and there is no current diagnosis of PTSD. The preponderance of evidence is against a finding of service connection for any psychiatric disorder other than PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests to reopen his service connection claims for left wrist and right shoulder impairments, finding that no new and material evidence was received.

The Veteran's right wrist degenerative joint disease is found to be related to service. The Board finds no evidence of a neck injury or disability during service, and the VA examiner opined that arthritis of the cervical spine was not likely caused by an in-service incident.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have any of the claimed conditions and there is no evidence linking these conditions to service. As a result, the claims for service connection are denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome is not related to her military service or a service-connected disorder, and thus denied her claim for service connection. The criteria for specially adapted housing were also not met due to the absence of loss or loss of use of both upper extremities as to preclude locomotion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of right ankle or wrist disorders, and thus service connection cannot be granted for these conditions. The claim for sinusitis is also denied.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected coccydynia does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent, and her claims for service connection for left wrist ganglion cyst, keratosis pilaris, and post concussion headaches have been denied.