Wrist & hand decisions — 2014

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a right wrist disability, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder. The claim for hypertension was not addressed as it is not related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected left wrist disability, including associated nerve involvement, warrants a compensable initial rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new examination to determine the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss and an opinion on whether there is at least a 50% probability that his left shoulder and wrist disorders are causally related to active service. The case will also be referred to the Under Secretary for Benefits or the Director, Compensation Service for consideration of a compensable rating for the hearing loss on an extraschedular basis.

The appeal is dismissed as the Veteran has already received the benefit sought in this appeal, as a 20 percent rating for left carpal tunnel syndrome was in effect prior to May 1, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for pulmonary nodule was withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision. The case is being remanded for an additional VA examination of his right wrist disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's de Quervain's tenosynovitis of both right and left wrists is at least as likely as not related to his military service, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board finds that service connection for a left wrist sprain is granted.,Regarding the right wrist and knee disabilities, the Veteran's claim will be remanded to obtain an examination and medical nexus opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's current right wrist disability, diagnosed as de Quervain's tenosynovitis, is considered to be at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury. The Board has therefore granted service connection for the right wrist disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of his left shoulder, elbow and wrist conditions are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine their etiology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left little finger arthritis and left wrist/hand disabilities are not related to service, and therefore denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right wrist strain and right ankle strain have been granted. The claim for PTSD with anxiety disorder and depressive disorders has also been granted, but the Veteran is seeking a higher initial rating of 100 percent. The claim for lumbar strain remains denied. Other issues such as evaluations for other conditions like degenerative joint disease, tendonitis, and patellofemoral pain syndrome have all been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a scheduling issue for a videoconference hearing. The issues of service connection and rating for knee disabilities are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left wrist disorder and broken left pinky finger are not service-connected as they did not occur during his military service or within one year of discharge.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right wrist disability is being remanded to obtain outstanding treatment records and a VA examination. The AOJ will also consider whether separate ratings are warranted under Diagnostic Codes referable to nerve or muscle impairment.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple conditions and issues, including ratings for various disabilities and service connection claims. The case is being remanded to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, diagnosed as bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, is being remanded due to unclear findings and need for further medical examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA examinations and updating treatment records. The TDIU claim will also be addressed.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to address the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right biceps strain, specifically whether he suffers from any neurological conditions as a result of this service-connected condition. The case is being remanded again due to inadequate previous examinations.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, and left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus type I.

The Veteran's claims for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand, left hand, and GERD have been granted as service connection is established.