Wrist & hand decisions — 2014

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected left and right knee subluxing patella were denied. Her claim for a compensable disability rating for her service-connected surgical scar of the left knee was granted. The Veteran's claims for service connection for her claimed left and right wrist disabilities are not applicable as they do not involve issues related to service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and another VA examination to evaluate the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an initial disability rating in excess of 30 percent for major depressive disorder, a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for residuals of stress fracture of the left leg, or any other claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diverticulitis is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has a current disability of diverticulitis related to his active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to unclear dates of service and unobtained service treatment records. The Veteran's claims for service connection are pending.

The Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is found to be caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Veteran was granted a compensable rating for de Quervain's disease of the left wrist with compartment release after December 7, 2013, but her other claims remain denied.

The Board has granted the claim for service connection for a lower back disorder. The remaining issues on appeal are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for PTSD prior to February 17, 2012 has been withdrawn. The Board also dismissed the claims for service connection of left wrist disorder, right wrist disorder, and right elbow disorder due to lack of evidence or clear error.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at the local RO.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed hand disabilities, specifically bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and trigger fingers. The Veteran testified that these conditions began during service from cold weather injuries as well as manual work with high explosives, cannon, and other heavy labor.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the issues of liver disorder, left heel fracture, bilateral testicle disorder, and other conditions have been withdrawn. The remaining claims are dismissed.

The Board found that the Veteran's left wrist fracture did not increase in severity during service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a grant of any of the requested evaluations.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected left wrist disability, characterized as post-operative residuals of fusion of the left wrist, status-post left wrist fracture with styloidectomy, precluded him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's active duty service. The decision also notes that diabetes is a disease associated with herbicide exposure in Vietnam, which supports the grant of service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and carpal tunnel syndrome of both wrists, diabetes mellitus, tinnitus, and bilateral hearing loss, do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's restless leg syndrome had its onset in service and is related to his current condition. The RO/AMC will obtain treatment records from various VA facilities for consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current disability of CTS or residuals of hand injuries related to service. The VA examiner found no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to determine the Veteran's periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA), as well as his exposure to asbestos and other hazardous materials during service. The appeal will be remanded for these purposes.