Wrist & hand decisions — 2011

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and right wrist condition are related to his military service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and found that the Veteran's tinnitus is attributable to acoustic trauma during active military service. The claims of entitlement to initial compensable evaluation for degenerative joint disease of the right ankle, initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the right and left wrists, and a TDIU are REMANDED.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his lumbar spine disability and any associated neurological impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including verifying ACDUTRA service dates and scheduling VA examinations to address the appellant's claims. The issues include reopening previously denied claims of bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and right foot disability, as well as determining whether new evidence supports reopening other claims.

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection for a left wrist disability was received more than a year after his discharge from service, and thus the effective date should be the date of receipt of the claim, or the date entitlement arose, whichever is later. Since there is no evidence of a claim prior to June 13, 2000, he is not entitled to an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's service connected disabilities, including arthrodesis of the left elbow, rated as 50 percent disabling, left ulnar neuropathy, rated as 20 percent disabling, left knee arthritis, rated as 20 percent disabling, residuals of a fracture of the left tibia, rated as 10 percent disabling, scars of the left arm, rated as 10 percent disabling, and a scar of the left knee, rated as 10 percent disabling, render the Veteran unemployable. Total disability ratings for compensation purposes may be assigned where the schedular rating is less than total, when it is found that the disabled person is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as a result of a single service-connected disability ratable at 60 percent or more, or as a result of two or more disabilities, provided at least one disability is ratable at 40 percent or more, and there is sufficient additional service-connected disability to bring the combined rating to 70 percent or more.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back strain, disorder of the bottom of the feet, left wrist disorder, and chest pain. The evidence did not establish current disabilities or link these conditions to her military service.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his heart disability.

The Veteran's preexisting acne was aggravated by service, resulting in current disability. Service connection is granted for this condition. The Board finds that further examination and opinion are needed to determine the nature and etiology of his bilateral ankle disorder, left inguinal hernia, left varicocele, bilateral knee disorder, and left wrist disorder.

The Board found that the Veteran's osteoarthritis of the left knee and loss of strength in the right wrist were not incurred or aggravated by active military service.

The Veteran seeks service connection for various disorders, including bilateral knee, right shoulder, left wrist, low back, skin, sinus, and ear disorders. The Board finds that additional development is needed to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to gather additional medical records and conduct examinations for joints, eyes, and skin. The issues of service connection are inextricably intertwined with the issue of TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, finding no evidence of a current disability or its onset during active military service. Service connection was granted for muscle spasms of the entire body (claimed as epilepsy).

The Board finds that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, which is related to her active duty service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss and entitlement to increased ratings for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), right Achilles tendonitis with tarsal tunnel release, left Achilles tendonitis with residuals and tarsal tunnel release, and bipolar disorder.

The Board denied service connection for a heart disorder, osteoarthritis of the shoulders, elbows, wrists and knees, and cervical spine disability. The Veteran did not have any evidence of these conditions in service or within one year after discharge.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, left ankle, bilateral wrist conditions, and an acquired psychiatric disorder were denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or in-service events that could be linked to these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any wrist disability.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant before a decision was made.