Wrist & hand decisions — 2013

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied due to his failure to report for scheduled VA examinations. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine if any current left hand/wrist disability, including carpal tunnel syndrome, is at least as likely as not related to service. The Veteran's statements regarding ongoing symptoms since service will be considered.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an eye infection has been reopened, but the evidence does not support a grant of service connection.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for left wrist and kidney conditions have also been reopened. The evidence is insufficient to determine whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for various conditions, including a right middle finger disability, left shoulder disability, low back disability, and right wrist disability. The Board found that there was no objective evidence of current disabilities related to these issues.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as new and material evidence had not been received. The Board recharacterized the issues based on relevant case law, but did not address the merits of these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, when considered together, prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for tinnitus and arthritis of multiple joints, including as due to Agent Orange exposure.,The Veteran's tinnitus was not present in service or until many years thereafter and is not related to service or to an incident of service origin, including in-service acoustic trauma. The Board also found that the Veteran does not have a current chronic disability of either elbow.

The Veteran claims service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, which he asserts began during his active duty. The VA has requested additional evidence and will review the claim again.

The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist has been rated at 10 percent since April 27, 2013. The condition is characterized by intermittent mild symptoms such as occasional pain, numbness, and tingling but not loss of motion or other functional impairment.

The Veteran's injuries, including fractures of the wrist and forearm, fingers, knees, forehead, and brain impairment, were caused by participating in a VA vocational rehabilitation program. The Board found that commuting home from classes as part of this program was an essential activity.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient VA examinations and further development is needed.

The Veteran's residuals of a right wrist fracture with osteoarthritis are currently rated at 10 percent, which is the highest rating available under Diagnostic Code 5214. The Veteran does not have ankylosis.,For PTSD from August 5, 2008 to December 18, 2011, the Veteran's disability did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation of 70 percent as he demonstrated occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity but without evidence of flattened affect or panic attacks more than once a week. Since December 19, 2011, the Veteran's PTSD has been rated at 50 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran was not unemployable prior to February 24, 2003 due to his service-connected disabilities. The effective date for a TDIU is therefore denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding all issues, including service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and claims to reopen service connection for muscle pain and cramps, sinus infection, fatigue, headaches, and irritable bowel syndrome.

The Veteran's right ankle tendinitis is not more than moderate in nature, and her right foot bunion with hallux valgus does not meet the criteria for a higher rating. The postoperative residual scars of her right wrist ligament repair do not warrant an increased rating.,None of the conditions have been linked to any specific exposure basis or are presumed under the PACT Act.

The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a left wrist condition that is service-connected. The VA examinations and the post-service medical records do not support any such claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, a pinched nerve in his leg, polysubstance abuse/addiction, and hepatitis C. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Veteran's bilateral wrist disability is rated at 10 percent for carpal tunnel syndrome with cervical radiculopathy, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right ear hearing loss and carpal tunnel syndrome. The decision is final as it was not appealed.

The Veteran's chronic left wrist disability and PTSD were denied service connection. The issues of an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD, and TDIU are pending.