Wrist & hand decisions — 2015

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of arthritis or carpal tunnel syndrome in his hands and fingers, nor does he have a right wrist strain. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's right knee disability is not service-connected as there is no evidence of a current disability and the earliest post-service clinical evidence is more than eight years after separation from service.,The Veteran's right wrist disability (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome) is not service-connected as there is no evidence of a current disability and the earliest post-service clinical evidence is more than three decades after separation from service. The Veteran does not have a history of surgery or in-service injury that would support this diagnosis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including her back and psychiatric conditions, render her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's Raynaud's Syndrome is currently rated at 40 percent, effective from the date of his claim. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on more frequent attacks or digital ulcers.

The Veteran's initial claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder other than bronchitis is still pending. The rating for bronchitis has been granted with a noncompensable (0 percent) rating, and the Veteran requested an increased rating. The left wrist disability remains on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for SMC based on need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board found that the Veteran's sleep disorder, CTS, and right elbow disorder to include right ulnar neuropathy are not service-connected as they were not incurred or aggravated during his military service.

The Veteran has a combined rating of 100% for her service-connected disabilities. However, she does not have an employment handicap and has overcome the effects of her vocational impairment due to her service-connected conditions. Therefore, she is not entitled to additional vocational rehabilitation benefits under Chapter 31.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining additional medical records.

The Veteran's GERD is found to be proximately due to his use of NSAIDs for service-connected pes cavus, and thus granted service connection.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding the relationship between his current disabilities and service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome is found to be directly related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not have bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome in service or within one year after discharge, residuals of a bilateral mandible fracture are not manifested by reduction in range of motion, displacement of the mandible, and loss of masticatory function, chondromalacia patella with degenerative joint disease of the left knee is not manifested by limitation of flexion to 30 degrees or less, limitation of extension to 5 degrees or more, ankylosis, subluxation or lateral instability, dislocation of semilunar cartilage, symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage, malunion of the tibia and fibula, or genu recurvatum. The chondromalacia patella with degenerative joint disease of the right knee is not manifested by limitation of flexion to 30 degrees or less, limitation of extension to 5 degrees or more, ankylosis, subluxation or lateral instability, dislocation of semilunar cartilage, symptomatic removal of semilunar cartilage, malunion of the tibia and fibula, or genu recurvatum.

The Board denied service connection for right hand, right knee, left lower extremity and right lower extremity disorders. The Veteran's current diagnoses do not meet the criteria for direct service connection.

The Board found that VA properly withheld compensation to recoup the Veteran's separation pay, as it was due to a reduction in force and not related to any service-connected condition.

The Veteran's total combined disability rating is 60 percent, which does not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU. The Board finds that the Veteran is not unemployable solely due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left wrist condition, diagnosed as a ganglion cyst, warrants a compensable rating of 10 percent. The Board has granted service connection for this condition and denied the remaining issues on appeal.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a left wrist disorder, finding that it is directly related to his military service.

The Veteran's left wrist disability has been rated at 20% since October 21, 2013. The appeal is denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for right wrist tendon disability, cellulitis of the right lower leg, and residuals of third degree burns of the bilateral lower legs. Service connection for seizure disorder is not addressed as it was withdrawn by the Veteran.