Wrist & hand decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and left carpal tunnel syndrome are related to his active service, granting service connection for these conditions. The right shoulder disability and left shoulder disability issues remain unresolved.

The evidence shows that the Veteran experiences, at worst, mild incomplete paralysis of the median nerve as a result of his service-connected right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome. The Board finds that this does not warrant an initial rating greater than 10 percent.

The Board denied an extraschedular rating higher than 10 percent for the Veteran's left wrist disability, finding that the current combined rating of 20 percent already adequately accounts for marked interference with employment.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated medical records and providing him with VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of her left thumb disability with residual scars. Any outstanding private and VA treatment records should also be obtained.

The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist, and carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist. The competent and probative evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and active duty service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any current right wrist/hand arthritis and its relationship to his service-connected conditions. A TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with these issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, right shoulder, bilateral wrist, bilateral elbow, and bilateral knee disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for residuals of a third metacarpal fracture of the right hand with carpal tunnel syndrome was denied as there is no evidence of mild, moderate, or severe incomplete paralysis of the lower radicular group.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right wrist disability and therefore, service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right wrist disability related to service or any preexisting condition. The claim for sleep apnea is remanded as it was not fully addressed in the March 2015 decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and need for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The Veteran's joint pain affecting his back, neck, shoulders, arms, elbows, wrists, hands/fingers, and hips has been attributed to clinical diagnoses including DDD and DJD of the lumbar spine with bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, DDD and DJD of the cervical spine with bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, bilateral shoulder, arm, hand and finger tendonitis, and chronic bilateral wrist sprain. The Veteran's disabilities affecting his back, neck, shoulders, elbows, wrists, hands/fingers, hips, and legs did not originate in service or within a year of service, and are not otherwise etiologically related to the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between his service-connected left index finger disability and his current left wrist condition, as well as to consider whether a higher rating for his service-connected left index finger disability is warranted on an extra-schedular basis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development and legal analysis, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and conducting specialized examinations to determine the nature of his current disabilities and their relationship to the February 2004 VA examination.

The Veteran is unemployable due to service-connected disability, and the Board has granted a TDIU based on his combined rating of 60% for PTSD, left hand disability, and left wrist disability.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for right wrist disability is granted, with a noncompensable evaluation.,The Veteran's compensable scars from the right leg are maintained. The current evidence does not support an increase in the rating.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen service connection for PTSD and left ankle disorder. These claims are remanded for further review.,Service connection is granted for PTSD, trichotillomania, and asthma due to Agent Orange exposure and smoke inhalation.,The Veteran's heart condition and spinal disorder have not been established as service-connected.,The Veteran's dental disorders do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right wrist disability warrants a separate 40 percent evaluation for ulnar and median nerve involvement, but not higher.

The Veteran's right wrist disability, characterized by postoperative residuals of a fracture with degenerative changes and painful surgical scars, is currently rated at 10 percent under the appropriate diagnostic codes. The Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his current level of impairment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to changes in his employment situation and the need for a new VA examination assessing the functional impairment caused by his service-connected disabilities.