Wrist & hand decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no evidence of current disabilities or in-service incurrences that could be related to the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's left wrist disability is due to his service-connected right ankle disability and has been granted.,The Veteran's right leg disability is also due to his service-connected right ankle disability and has been granted.,For the period prior to November 2, 2012, a 50 percent rating for depressive disorder has been granted. For the period since November 2, 2012, a higher rating is not warranted.,A 50 percent rating for migraine headaches has been granted.,For the period prior to November 5, 2012, a 10 percent rating for asthma has been granted. For the period since November 5, 2012, a higher rating is not warranted.,A 30 percent rating for TMJ disorder based on limitation of motion has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.,For all periods under appeal, a 20 percent rating for TMJ disorder based on unilateral loss of whole or part of ramus involving loss of temporomandibular articulation has been granted.,A 20 percent rating for the right ankle disability has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.,For all periods under appeal, a 10 percent rating for the lumbar spine disability has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.,For all periods under appeal, a 10 percent rating for the right knee disability has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.,For all periods under appeal, a 10 percent rating for the left knee disability has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.,A 10 percent rating for the right carpal tunnel syndrome has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.,A 10 percent rating for the right lower extremity neuropathy has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.,For the period prior to December 13, 2012, a 10 percent rating for GERD has been granted. For the period since December 13, 2012, a higher rating is not warranted.,For all periods under appeal, a 10 percent rating for the left ankle disability has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.,For all periods under appeal, a 10 percent rating for sinusitis has been granted. A higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for a neurological condition in his right wrist, including carpal tunnel syndrome and peroneal nerve injury, which he believes are related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The current examination reports do not adequately address the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the addition of her child as a dependent for additional compensation purposes was denied because the first formal claim was received on May 7, 2012. The effective date is set at June 1, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left wrist disability is not related to his active service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of cold injuries, including neuropathy and paresthesias of the upper and lower extremities and carpal tunnel syndrome of the upper extremities. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, as he does not meet the percentage requirements under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(a).

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder, lumbar spine disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and carpal tunnel syndrome. The appeals are granted.

The Board found no current low back, right elbow, left elbow, right wrist, or left wrist conditions to support service connection. The Veteran's symptoms were attributed to non-service-connected causes.

The Veteran seeks earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA benefits based on service-connected disabilities. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine if the Veteran was unemployable due to his service-connected conditions prior to November 13, 2006.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated employment history and medical records. The claims of entitlement to TDIU are also addressed.

The Veteran is seeking to establish service connection for right wrist and thumb disabilities that he claims are secondary to his service-connected left wrist and shoulder disabilities. The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a new VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule him for a video conference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge of the Board.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient opinions and need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining complete service records and VA treatment records. The case will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The Board has reopened the previously denied claims of cervical spine strain and paranoid schizophrenia, but finds no current disability that can be related to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining private hospital records and a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right carpal tunnel syndrome is related to his service-connected residuals of a total fusion of the right wrist, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is currently rated at 40 percent effective January 1, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for additional development, including scheduling a VA social and industrial survey and obtaining records from the SSA. The case will be reviewed again after these actions are completed.