Wrist & hand decisions — 2014

The Veteran seeks a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities. The case is being remanded to obtain vocational rehabilitation records and provide the Veteran with a new VA examination to assess the impact of his service-connected conditions on employment.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for PTSD was granted, effective March 20, 2008. The appeal regarding service connection for bilateral flat feet and carpal tunnel syndrome of the left hand is dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for the conditions listed in his claims, and therefore, denied all issues on appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's DeQuervain's tendonitis of the bilateral wrists and ganglion cyst in the left wrist were incurred during active service, thus granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that a compensable rating for residuals of the right shoulder injury is warranted since June 20, 2011. For left wrist fracture residuals, a compensatory disability rating of 20 percent is granted effective from June 20, 2011.

For the period from November 22, 2006 to September 29, 2009, the Veteran is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's current low back disorder is not etiologically related to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome was not incurred in or aggravated by active service, nor may it be presumed to have been incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a left shoulder disability, right arm disability, or bilateral wrist disability that had its onset during service.,Service connection for these conditions is denied as there is no evidence showing their development in service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to obtain medical records and verify service character status. The VA will provide a new examination to determine the likelihood of in-service onset or association with his claimed conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran's right hand/wrist disability, including degenerative joint disease and carpal tunnel syndrome, was not incurred in service or due to any incident of service. The current disabilities are not otherwise etiologically related to active service.

The Board has determined that new examinations are necessary to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected right thumb disability, right wrist disability and right thumb scar due to discrepancies in the previous examination reports. The Veteran will be scheduled for these examinations.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of Reiter's Syndrome or currently diagnosed disabilities of the bilateral wrists and ankles. The May 2012 VA examination report is highly persuasive regarding these issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and a left elbow disability, finding that there was insufficient evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the Under Secretary for Benefits or the Director of Compensation Service due to the complexity and potential need for an extraschedular evaluation considering his service-connected conditions, including left carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosed back disorder is at least as likely as not related to her military service, and thus service connection for a back disorder is granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for chest pain and syncope, claimed as leaking heart valve and heart complications, is being remanded due to missing treatment records from his unit in Iraq. The appeals for the remaining issues are also being remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and cervical spine arthritis, including obtaining medical records from Dr. Geoffrey Seidel and Dr. Michael Kapsokavathis.

Your appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for scheduling a videoconference or Travel Board hearing at your local RO. The case will be processed accordingly.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the issues of service connection for heart disease and neuropathy of the left hand and arm with carpal tunnel syndrome prior to a decision being made.

The Board has granted service connection for multiple scars, including those on the forehead, right thumb, right wrist, right lower abdomen, and bilateral legs, to include as secondary to a service-connected right knee disability. The claim for VA dental treatment is also granted.