Wrist & hand decisions — 2014

The Veteran's scar of the left wrist, status post removal of ganglion cyst, did not cause any limitation of function and was not painful on examination prior to September 23, 2011. On and after September 23, 2011, the Veteran's scar was found to be painful but not unstable or with frequent loss of covering of the skin over the scar.

The Veteran does not have a wrist disorder, to include carpal tunnel syndrome, that is the result of disease or injury incurred in or aggravated by active military service; nor is any wrist disorder proximately due to or aggravated by service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back, bilateral knee, and bilateral wrist disabilities are not related to his active service. The evidence does not support a finding of chronic symptoms during service or any nexus between these conditions and military service.

The Board has reopened the issue of service connection for left wrist fracture residuals and granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's current diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea is supported by lay statements from family members indicating symptoms during service, as well as VA medical records noting snoring and daytime fatigue.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected disabilities, including hematuria, left wrist fracture residuals, lumbar and cervical spine conditions, hip and knee disorders, as well as a right great toe bunion. The issues are related to the evaluation of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities combine for a 70 percent rating and render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus meeting the criteria for TDIU from March 30, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to the finding that his MVA was a result of willful misconduct. The Board is remanding the case for further clarification and examination.

The Veteran's service-connected traumatic arthritis of the right wrist is manifested by painful motion limited, at worst, to dorsiflexion to 50 degrees and palmar flexion to 50 degrees; there is no ankylosis or evidence of nonunion of the radius in the lower half with false movement. The criteria for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent have not been met.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have carpal tunnel syndrome, right wrist or a right knee disorder that is related to service. The claim for service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records prior to 2007 and a new examination to determine the presence of neurological disorders of the lower extremities. The Veteran also needs a new VA examination to assess the current level of impairment due to his service-connected thoracolumbar spine disability.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss, but his claim for right carpal tunnel syndrome remains pending as the evidence is in equipoise.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right wrist disability has been denied as the evidence does not show that he meets the criteria for a higher evaluation under any applicable diagnostic code.

The case is being remanded for further development, including an advisory opinion from a vocational rehabilitation specialist regarding the impact of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities on his employability. The AOJ should then review the record and readjudicate the claim.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his hearing request in July 2014.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, right and left wrist disabilities, and a back disability. The Board finds that these conditions are at least in equipoise with his military service.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities, bilateral wrist disabilities, and back disability.

The Board found that the Veteran's cause of death, intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), was not caused by or substantially contributed to by any service-connected disability. The appellant's contentions regarding dysthymia and other service-connected conditions were deemed insufficient to establish a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as issuance of a statement of the case on other issues.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to determine the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of right and left upper extremity numbness (claimed as carpal tunnel syndrome) because the September 2004 rating decision denying service connection was final, and no CUE was found. The RO provided notice of this decision in a letter dated later that month.