Wrist & hand decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for an increased rating or service connection in all cases.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of both wrists has been denied. The issues of memory loss and blackouts, headaches with visual aura due to TBI, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability are not addressed in this decision.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's initial increased evaluation for service-connected carpal tunnel syndrome was granted, with a noncompensable rating prior to September 14, 2006, and a 10 percent rating as of November 1, 2006.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right and left knee disabilities, coronary artery disease, a scar associated with a coronary artery bypass graft, hemorrhoids, right urethral calculus, left inguinal herniorraphy, left wrist ganglion, and hypertension have met the percentage requirements for the award of a schedular TDIU. The combined rating is 90 percent since October 27, 2005.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his satisfaction with the current disability ratings.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left carpal tunnel syndrome, skin rashes (claimed as herbicide exposure), and degenerative disc disease lumbar spine. The Veteran's claim for PTSD was granted with a 10% evaluation.

The Veteran's service connection claims for peripheral neuropathy of the right and left upper extremities have been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions, and they are not shown to be related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, residuals of malaria, and peripheral nerve damage of the lower extremities were granted. The Veteran was also assigned a 20 percent disability rating for his thoracolumbar strain effective September 10, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, arranging for new VA examinations to assess the severity of his bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis and callouses, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and left carpal tunnel syndrome, and determining whether staged ratings are appropriate.

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial rating for left wrist carpal boss is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for scars of the right wrist and left forearm, as well as an initial compensable rating (20%) for erectile dysfunction. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is found to be due to loss of erectile power with no physical deformity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, thus granting his claim for TDIU.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hand and wrist, right shoulder, left knee, and low back disabilities. The claims are granted in part as new and material evidence was received to reopen them. Service connection is not established for any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further consideration due to incomplete records and conflicting evidence regarding his employability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right foot scars, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and folliculitis and seborrheic dermatitis. The appeals were withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and occupational experience from September 22, 2011.

The Veteran's claims to service connection for right shoulder, bilateral wrist and finger, back, neck, bilateral knee, and bilateral ankle disorders have been denied as the evidence does not establish a nexus between his current diagnoses and military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome was granted, and the effective date is set at April 20, 2001.