Wrist & hand decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed disabilities, including bilateral knee disability (claimed as osteoarthritis of the knees), bilateral hand disability (claimed as carpal tunnel syndrome), and cervical spine disability (claimed as C3-C6 spondylosis), were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable, and the Board has granted a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

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

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for left wrist and low back conditions were denied as there was no evidence showing that the disabilities warranted a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, left ulnar nerve neuropathy, and arthritis of the left shoulder are all related to his service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current disabilities of bilateral hearing loss, chronic tinnitus, a chronic respiratory disorder (lung), or a bilateral foot disability. The veteran's claimed hand disability is also denied as it is not shown to be related to service.

The veteran's claims for PTSD and a vision disorder were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for these conditions. The claim for pseudotumor cerebri was granted based on presumptive service connection, but no compensable evaluation is assigned due to lack of current disability.

The veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities are of such nature and severity as to permanently prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, warranting a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes.

The veteran meets the eligibility requirements for non-service-connected disability pension due to permanent and total disability from non-service-connected disabilities, not due to willful misconduct. The combined rating of his conditions (depression, arthritis of hands, C6 nerve root dysfunction, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome) meet the criteria for a 70% disability rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral hand numbness is not service connected, as it was diagnosed as carpal tunnel syndrome and there is no competent medical evidence linking it to his military service.

The veteran's claim for service connection for chronic headaches was denied as there is no evidence of an underlying disease or injury to account for the headaches.

The Board denied service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist as there was no evidence linking the condition to the veteran's active service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right hand disability, hypertension, and right wrist scar were denied as the medical evidence did not support a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder disability, disabilities of the wrists and fingers, left foot disability, and bilateral hearing loss as there is no evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded to secure additional evidence regarding his left knee injury, including VA treatment records from the early 1970s. The claim for a compensable rating for his left wrist scar is also being remanded for an examination.

The Board denied service connection for left carpal tunnel syndrome and otitis media as there is no evidence of the conditions in service or within a year of discharge, and no credible evidence linking them to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for various disabilities, including migraine headaches, cervical spine, dorsal (thoracic) and lumbar spine, right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, right knee, left knee, and left ankle.

The case is remanded for the veteran to be scheduled for a new videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge.

The veteran's right wrist disability did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to May 18, 2000, and the combined rating for his right wrist disability and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) was not warranted from May 18, 2000.

The Board denied service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right and left wrists, as well as a cervical spine disability, finding that these conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.