Wrist & hand decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral Achilles tendonitis, left shoulder disorder, bilateral hearing loss disability (left ear), tinnitus, left wrist arthritis, and left rib disorder are all related to service. The decision is granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including an additional VA examination to assess the disabling effects of his service-connected right wrist scar. The issue will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as his claims for other conditions. The effective dates assigned were December 20, 2010.

The Veteran's hypertension and left carpal tunnel syndrome have been granted service connection, but the RO has not provided a compensable rating for hypertension or a rating in excess of 10 percent for left carpal tunnel syndrome. The case is being remanded to determine current severity levels.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected ankle and wrist disabilities were denied. The right and left ankles are currently rated at 20 percent, while the left wrist and forearm disability is also rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA disability benefits records and considering any new VA treatment records.

The Board found that the Veteran's current left wrist disabilities, diagnosed as degenerative joint disease and De Quervain's tenosynovitis, were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The evidence did not show a pre-existing condition was aggravated during service.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his withdrawal of the irregular heartbeat claim. The Board found that service connection for bilateral pes planus, a skin disorder claimed as acne and razor burn, and bilateral wrist disability is not warranted based on lack of evidence of an increase in severity during service or aggravation by service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right wrist condition and an initial disability rating in excess of 70 percent for adjustment disorder with depression. The claim for residuals of left 5th metacarpal fracture was not addressed as it is unclear if this claim was part of the appeal or if it was related to the other issues.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and tinnitus. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease that could be linked to these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities, and right and left foot bunions have been withdrawn. The Board has no further jurisdiction in these matters.

The Veteran's service-connected right wrist disability and surgical scar were evaluated, with the right wrist disability rated at 10% and the surgical scar not warranting a compensable rating.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional VA medical opinions and examinations for his service-connected conditions, specifically regarding peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities as secondary to diabetes mellitus, type II, and an increased rating for PTSD with alcohol abuse.

The Board has determined that recoupment of the Veteran's separation pay is proper, but a waiver of this recoupment is not warranted due to lack of legal merit.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection of lumbar spine disability and myasthenia gravis. The Board dismisses these issues as the Veteran wishes to withdraw them.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for a fracture of the right wrist and ventricular tachycardia were denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 10 percent for his right wrist disability, effective September 1, 2007.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome or cervical spine disorder to her periods of active duty service. The preponderance of the evidence is against these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome and found that the Veteran's current condition is related to active service. The claim of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for otitis media is remanded for issuance of a Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's service-connected left ankle fracture warrants a rating of 20 percent, effective from the date of the initial claim. The other issues were not granted.