Wrist & hand decisions — 2015

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, residuals of a stroke, COPD, an eye disorder, carpal tunnel syndrome, and dyslexia. The decision also found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen these claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for depressive disorder, thoracolumbar spine disorder, right shoulder disorder, and right wrist disorder. The appeals on cervical spine, left shoulder, wrist, hand, hip, knee, ankle, and foot disorders have been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board's August 2012 decision denying service connection for a left wrist disability is reversed due to clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in applying the presumption of soundness. The Veteran's left wrist disability was incurred during active duty.

The Board found that the Veteran's lung disability is not related to his active military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for various conditions, including sinus disorder, TBI, dizziness, and disorders of the jaw and/or cheek, cervical spine, thoracic spine, right elbow, right wrist, left hip, and right hip, was denied. The Board found no chronic or recurrent sinus problems during service.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's current symptoms are related to his in-service snoring and turbinate swelling. The other issues on appeal have been remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's combined disability rating was 70 percent since October 1996, meeting the criteria for an additional allowance of DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1311(a)(2).

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining service records and medical records related to the appellant's claims. The appellant is also asked to provide names and addresses of any private healthcare providers who have treated her.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and established a 20 percent evaluation for the Veteran's left ankle strain. Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss, pulmonary disorder, right foot bunion, left foot bunion, right hand disorder, right CTS, and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable, and the residuals of fracture of the right 5th and 2nd metacarpals are currently rated at 30 percent. The appeals for increased ratings have been denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions, including arthritis of the right wrist, bilateral knee disorder, right hand disorders, left hand disorder, left shoulder disorder, sleep disorder, and erectile dysfunction. The decision also noted that VA examinations were conducted to assess these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's cervical spine, lumbar spine, and left wrist fracture disabilities are service-connected. The skin disorder of the hands is not currently service-connected.

The claims of service connection for a low back disability, cervical spine disability, left hip bursitis, right hip bursitis, right hand carpal tunnel syndrome, and an acquired psychiatric disorder have all been denied. The Veteran's statements regarding the onset of his hip disabilities are inconsistent with his in-service medical history.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including a new VA examination and consideration of his claim for an extension of the temporary total rating based on both his right wrist and right elbow surgeries.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and major depressive disorder, was denied. His claim for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome was also denied.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as his service-connected disabilities meet the schedular percentage requirements and render him unemployable.

The Veteran was found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities as early as August 21, 2007.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is related to his active service and has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were granted. The TDIU claim was also granted prior to February 6, 2008.

The Veteran's left wrist sprain is not manifested by ankylosis, and therefore does not warrant a higher rating. The current 10% rating adequately reflects the Veteran's functional limitations.