Wrist & hand decisions — 2014

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is related to his active service, and thus grants service connection for both left and right carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the left hand is rated at 20 percent, effective from the date of the initial grant of service connection (September 9, 2009).

The Veteran's right wrist disability is currently rated at 10 percent, effective January 23, 2007. His right foot fracture residuals are not compensable prior to February 23, 2009, and meet the criteria for a 20 percent rating from that date forward.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left wrist disabilities were rated noncompensably disabling prior to August 8, 2013. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for either wrist at any time from the effective date of service connection to August 7, 2013.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as she failed to report to VA examinations and her claimed conditions are not shown to be related to her military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a wrist disorder and initial ratings for radiculopathy of the left and right lower extremities. The evidence does not support granting these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his anxiety with depression and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, have resulted in a combined disability rating of 100 percent. The Veteran is eligible for financial assistance to acquire an automobile or adaptive equipment due to the severity of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing medical records and the need for a VA examination. The Veteran's claims for service connection remain pending.

The Board found that the Veteran's wrist conditions were not incurred in service and denied her claims for service connection. The initial rating claim for asthma was also denied.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for residuals of a fracture of the fourth toe of the left foot, finding no evidence of current disability resulting from an inservice injury. The right hand/wrist issue remains pending.

The Veteran's right ankle disability is currently rated at 20 percent, and his right wrist disability at 10 percent. The Board finds that neither condition warrants a higher rating based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss has manifested no more than Level I impairment in the right ear and left ear, warranting a noncompensable rating. The Veteran's service-connected right wrist arthritis is currently rated at 30 percent disabling.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that his TDIU claim should be granted.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches and shin splints, finding that the Veteran's current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to her period of active duty for training.

The Veteran's appeal has been remanded due to the need for more current VA examinations and additional development of his claims. The issues include increased ratings for left shoulder disability, TMJ, and left cubital tunnel syndrome/left wrist disorder.

The Veteran seeks a total disability rating based on her service-connected disabilities, which include carpal tunnel syndrome of the right and left hands. The case is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and severity of her upper extremity disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the issues of entitlement to service connection for right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome and entitlement to service connection for left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's combined rating due to service-connected disabilities is 70%, which meets the criteria for a TDIU. However, his unemployability is not due to his service-connected conditions but rather to nonservice-connected cognitive dysfunction and retirement from two careers.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral hand disorder, including arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome, is being remanded due to the need for further development regarding the etiology of his CTS.

The Board denied service connection for blastomycosis and right thumb and wrist disability, finding that the Veteran's blastomycosis was not incurred or aggravated in service due to lack of evidence linking it to herbicide exposure. The right thumb and wrist disability claim is considered direct service connection as there is no indication of pre-existing condition noted at entry into service.