Wrist & hand decisions — 2013

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional medical records to be obtained and for further adjudication of his claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral wrist disability, including carpal tunnel syndrome, is not related to his military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any claimed conditions and therefore, service connection for these disabilities is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is service connected, but there is no evidence of diabetic peripheral neuropathy affecting the upper extremities. The skin disability claim will be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and left wrist degenerative joint disease are all found to be related to service. The appeal is granted in full.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinion regarding the onset and continuity of service-connected left shoulder osteoarthritis. The Veteran's claims for carpal tunnel syndrome in both wrists remain under review.

The Board found that the evidence does not support a finding of service connection for a left wrist disability and denied both issues on appeal.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for flexor tendonitis of the right wrist is being remanded due to unclear service connection status and potential need for separate ratings based on neurological and orthopedic criteria.

The Board has granted a TDIU rating based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his depression.

The Board finds that the overpayment of VA disability compensation benefits was not properly created as it was solely due to VA administrative error. The Veteran's claim for waiver of the overpayment is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Board found that the Veteran's right wrist disability does not meet or approximate criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent, as there was no evidence of ankylosis and his symptoms were primarily related to nonservice-connected cervical radiculopathy.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current disability related to service for any of the claimed conditions.,VA examinations and medical records do not support a finding that any of these conditions are related to active duty.

The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity does not meet or approximate criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity does not meet or approximate criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent.,For the period prior to June 30, 2009, the Veteran's left hand median nerve focal neuropathy (carpal tunnel syndrome) meets criteria for a 30 percent rating.,The Veteran's left hand median nerve focal neuropathy (carpal tunnel syndrome) from June 30, 2009 onwards does not meet or approximate criteria for a rating in excess of 30 percent.,The Veteran's right hand median nerve focal neuropathy (carpal tunnel syndrome) meets criteria for a 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for hypertension has been withdrawn. The Board has granted service connection for left wrist tendonitis and bilateral pes planus.,Service connection is granted for a right shoulder disorder, left wrist tendonitis, and bilateral pes planus.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to service and denied the Veteran's claims for bilateral carpal and cubital tunnel syndrome, as well as his claim for an increased rating for anxiety and depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for increased special monthly compensation based on the need for a higher level of aid and attendance is denied as he does not meet the criteria for such an increase.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional records related to his treatment for wrist and back symptomatology. The service connection claims will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his employment and medical records, as well as a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right wrist disability.

The Veteran's left forearm disorder is at least as likely as not related to his active duty service. The Board grants the claim for service connection.