Wrist & hand decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claim for a temporary total rating based on surgery for right carpal tunnel syndrome was denied as he did not have service connection for the condition at the time of his surgery.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy with carpal tunnel syndrome and cubital tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's claim for SMC for aid and attendance is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess his current ability to perform activities of daily living.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical evidence and for a new VA examination. The issue of entitlement to TDIU from February 1, 2011 forward will also be remanded.

The Board has reopened several service connection claims and granted them, with some issues receiving staged ratings. The effective date for the award of PTSD is set at April 9, 2007.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and provide further opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran meets the percentage requirements for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) due to her service-connected disabilities, which include major depressive disorder and fibromyalgia. Her TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for the issuance of a Statement of the Case on all issues related to his claims, including an increased rating for athlete's foot and reopening previously denied claims.

The Veteran's major right wrist disability and chronic rhinitis were evaluated, but the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left wrist disorder is being remanded due to the need to clarify her representative and ensure she has an opportunity for a Board hearing.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition, bilateral knee conditions, and left wrist condition. However, the claims were ultimately denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for low back disability and is granting it. The remaining claims of service connection for bilateral knee disability, right wrist disability, and acquired psychiatric disability are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and providing an addendum opinion on the extent of functional loss due to flare-ups. The issues of increased ratings for bipolar disorder and earlier effective date for service connection are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to inadequate medical examination and failure to address right wrist symptoms as a residual of a right little finger fracture.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the left wrist is currently rated at 10 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as there is no ankylosis or comparable impairment. The current rating adequately reflects his symptoms and functional limitations.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hand disabilities were not incurred during or as a result of service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is likely due to in-service exposure to significant acoustic trauma, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before the claim can be adjudicated, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right wrist disability was present during service and if it is related to his service-connected right elbow disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and inadequate examination.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the veteran's claims regarding his bilateral wrist condition, prostate cancer, and gastrointestinal condition due to potential service connection issues.