Wrist & hand decisions — 2014

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for a bilateral foot disorder and carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity before a decision was made by the Board.

The Veteran's skin/fungal disability is presumed to be due to herbicide exposure in Vietnam. The right wrist disability claim has been reopened, but the rating and effective date are pending further development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any left thumb disability and carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's multiple-joint arthritis, left and right knee patella tendonitis, and left wrist ganglion cyst were all found to be likely incurred during his active military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no residuals of left great toenail removal, no compensable rating for the scar on the wrist, and no rating in excess of 10 percent for right thumb injury.

The Board has determined that there is no competent and credible evidence showing a nexus between the current right hand numbness, from right baby finger to right wrist and hand, and service. The Veteran's claim for service connection for low back strain was denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development and an addendum opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's cubital tunnel syndrome of the right hand.

Service connection for thoracic spine degenerative disc disease was granted, effective January 26, 2009. The Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and cervical spine degenerative disc disease were not service connected.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development regarding his exposure to herbicides while stationed in Korea.

The Veteran's appeal was timely filed, and the issues of entitlement to service connection for his claimed conditions remain in appellate status.

The Veteran's gout is rated at 40 percent, and his ankylosis of the left wrist warrants a separate 20 percent rating. The combined ratings do not exceed the maximum allowed under VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claims will be reconsidered based on all evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome is likely due to his service, and thus granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from participating in substantially gainful employment for the period prior to May 14, 2012.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to an inadequate VA examination. The Veteran's reports of numbness and pain during service are to be considered in any new opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for VA examinations to assess the current nature and severity of his service-connected right thumb, index finger, and right wrist disabilities.

The Board has reopened the claim for residuals of a low back injury due to new and material evidence. The left wrist injury claim remains closed as no new and material evidence was submitted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and for further examinations. The issues include service connection, increased ratings, and hearing loss.

The Board found no evidence of a wrist disability or tinnitus due to service, and thus denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right wrist scapholunate disassociation, status-post scapholunate ligament reconstruction was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating prior to April 26, 2012 and in excess of 50 percent thereafter.