Wrist & hand decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and surgical scars are not related to his service, including his National Guard service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are as likely as not due to exposure to military weapons during active service. Service connection is denied for carpal tunnel syndrome and sarcoidosis.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's carpal release surgeries on the left and right wrist necessitated at least 30 days of convalescence, which is granted as a temporary total disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been granted. The claim for left carpal tunnel syndrome has also been granted.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, left hand carpal tunnel syndrome, and left knee degenerative joint disease have been granted effective from November 13, 2009.

The Board denied service connection for a scar on the dorsum of the right hand running parallel to the third metacarpal space and for degenerative joint disease and carpal tunnel syndrome (right hand). The appeal is not about service connection at all, so no rating or effective date was assigned.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral elbow, arm, wrist and hand disabilities are not service-connected as they are not shown to be related to his active duty service or any presumptive exposure. The most probative evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for left carpal tunnel syndrome or ischemic heart disease, and there was no evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine were found to have their onset in service, warranting service connection. The issue regarding her bilateral wrist disability is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hip condition was denied as she does not have a current disability of the right hip other than sacroiliitis, which is already service-connected. The claims for increased evaluations for her service-connected disabilities were remanded due to the passage of time and new evidence indicating possible changes in severity.

The Board has granted service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome. The remaining claims of increased evaluations for migraine headaches, sciatica, and other conditions are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to assess his bilateral knee and left wrist disabilities, and determining their current severity.

The March 8, 2007 rating decision granted service connection for right wrist ankylosis and assigned a separate 30% evaluation. The case was later remanded to sever this service connection due to clear and unmistakable error (CUE). Service connection was ultimately severed effective August 1, 2011.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing documents from the appellant's healthcare providers and outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is being remanded due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for further examination.

The Veteran's left wrist sprain and tendonitis are found to be related to his active service. Service connection is granted for this condition. The remaining knee, shoulder, and eye disorders are not found to be directly related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance, nor does he qualify for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation assistance.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is found to have begun during service and had been present since then. The skin disease, sinusitis with headaches, meralgia paresthetica of the right thigh, left inguinal hernia, hemorrhoids, right wrist disability, and impotence are all granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected residuals of scaphoid fracture, right wrist and for an appropriate notification letter regarding TDIU. The case will be adjudicated again after these actions.