Wrist & hand decisions — 2015

The Board found that carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis of the hands, and osteoarthritis of the hands were not incurred or aggravated during active duty, ACDUTRA, or INACDUTRA. The Veteran's conditions are attributed to her work as a mail sorter for USPS after service.

The Veteran's right wrist disability, which includes ankylosis in a favorable position with limited dorsiflexion and strength issues, has not met the criteria for a higher rating since April 9, 2014.

The Board finds that the Veteran's service-connected left wrist disability necessitated an extension of his temporary total evaluation beyond June 30, 2009, due to his inability to return to employment for a period from July 1, 2009, through January 14, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of her service-connected neurological disorder of the right upper extremity, including carpal tunnel syndrome and ulnar nerve neuropathy. The Veteran testified that she sometimes feels better without her right hand.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left wrist disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and additional private treatment records.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for the issues of service connection for a right wrist disability, lumbar spine disability, adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood, and right knee patellofemoral chondromalacia with degenerative findings.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for postoperative residuals, fusion left wrist from May 2, 2005 and found that the Veteran is entitled to TDIU. The Veteran's service-connected left wrist disability renders him unable to follow substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and prior occupational history since May 2, 2005.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for residuals of a left hand carpal tunnel syndrome surgery performed by VA in March 2010, but the appeal has been remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with prior Board orders and need for additional examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records review.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for entitlement to increased ratings for her service-connected left knee disability, right rotator cuff tear and repair with osteoarthritis, and residuals of a Baker's cyst of the left knee. The appeals were not granted as the current evaluations adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for the issue of whether new and material evidence has been received to reopen a previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for hearing loss in the right ear was withdrawn prior to the Board's decision. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed low back and left wrist disabilities were not incurred or aggravated in service, and thus denied his claims for service connection.

The Board has remanded this case for further action, including scheduling a travel Board hearing. The Veteran's claims for service connection are not addressed in the decision.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of medical treatment rendered at non-VA facilities is denied as the care was not rendered in a medical emergency and VA facilities were feasibly available.

The Board vacated the November 8, 2013 decision denying service connection for hearing loss disability and granted a 40% rating for the Veteran's gunshot wound to the right arm with carpal tunnel syndrome effective August 23, 2012. The issues of service connection for hearing loss disability and increased rating for the right arm condition remain unresolved.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and clarification of her conditions, as well as to address the issues on appeal.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in permanent and total disability that is due to the loss or loss of use of one or both lower extremities, precluding locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes or a wheelchair. The Board finds that this meets the criteria for specially adapted housing.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder and wrist disabilities were denied as there was no evidence of ankylosis or impairment of the contiguous joint, and the functional loss did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disorder, bilateral wrist disorder (claimed as carpal tunnel syndrome), and bilateral foot disorder (other than pes cavus).

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's low back and left wrist disabilities, as well as scheduling a VA examination to determine their etiology. The issues of service connection are still pending.