Wrist & hand decisions — 2013

The Veteran's left wrist cyst residuals are rated at 20 percent, and his right spermatocele is rated as noncompensable.

The Veteran's unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, including PTSD with alcohol abuse and major depression and bilateral hearing loss, occurred no earlier than December 11, 2007.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right eye disability, bilateral wrist disabilities, and low back disability were not incurred in or aggravated by military service. The claims are therefore denied.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left carpal tunnel syndrome has been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the symptoms described, which were consistent with mild numbness and weakness without more severe impairment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right wrist and/or hand disability, claimed as carpal tunnel syndrome and degenerative joint disease.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is related to his service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.

The Board found no evidence of thoracic outlet syndrome or left carpal tunnel syndrome during service and denied the Veteran's claims for these conditions. The cervical spine disability claim was also denied as there is no direct evidence linking it to service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome. With resolution of reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, it is at least as likely as not that his current right carpal tunnel syndrome is related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and review of his service-connected disabilities in combination.

The Board found no evidence of a ganglion cyst on the left wrist in service or at any subsequent time, and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is manifested by complaints of wrist pain, paresthesias and tingling in the fourth and fifth digits of both hands, along with reports of limited ability and strength.,The Veteran has used wrist braces/splints, exercised, and takes frequent breaks while working at a computer.

The Board has determined that the submitted evidence is not new and material to reopen the claims of service connection for bilateral arm and wrist disabilities. The Veteran's current diagnoses do not relate to his service or a service-connected disability.

The Board finds that the overpayment of VA compensation benefits in the amount of $3,319.84 was properly created and is a valid debt.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the precise nature and nerves affected by his service-connected paresthesias of the left upper extremity.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for COPD, residuals of burn injury of the hands, and ganglion cyst of the right wrist. The new evidence includes VA hospital records from 1981 that show a lacerated ganglion cyst on the Veteran's right wrist which was treated in-service. This raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claims.

The Veteran's right ulnar neuropathy/carpal tunnel syndrome was initially awarded a 10% evaluation, effective September 30, 1996. The rating was increased to 20%, effective June 12, 2002.

The Veteran's claim for SMC at the housebound rate is denied because he does not have a single service-connected disability rated as 100 percent disabling, and his TDIU rating based on one service-connected disability qualifies him for a total rating without requiring additional service-connected disabilities to meet the criteria.

The Veteran's appeal involves the rating for his service-connected left elbow and wrist disabilities. The RO denied a higher rating for the left elbow disability, but granted service connection and assigned an initial noncompensable rating for the left wrist disability.

The Board found no evidence of in-service injury or diagnosis for the claimed left arm and wrist conditions, and thus denied service connection.

The Board has remanded the case to the Director, Compensation and Pension Service for extraschedular consideration of the Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for his right elbow strain with limitation of pronation of right forearm, residuals of right hand and wrist injury. The case should be referred back for review after considering all evidence.