Wrist & hand decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right wrist fracture is etiologically related to his service-connected bilateral knee disability, and thus grants service connection for residuals of a right wrist fracture.

The Board has granted an extraschedular rating of 10% for the service-connected left wrist disability, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds in his favor based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to an issue with scheduling a video conference hearing. The Veteran was originally scheduled for a hearing in Waco, Texas but requested it be held at a VA facility in El Paso, Texas.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal via a March 2016 written statement.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left elbow and wrist disabilities were denied by the Board. The initial rating for the left wrist disability was granted, but a higher rating is still sought.

The Veteran's tinnitus is related to in-service acoustic trauma and the Board finds service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's left wrist disability, post-ganglion cyst excision with chronic strain and arthritis, most nearly approximates a moderately disabling injury under Muscle Group VIII. The Board finds that the criteria for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's service connection claim for tinnitus has been granted with a 10% evaluation, and he is also entitled to separate evaluations of 10% each for his inguinal hernia and the scar from his inguinal hernia surgery. The Veteran's service connection claim for pseudofolliculitis barbae (scarring) has been granted with a 30% evaluation based on disfigurement of the face and head.

The Veteran does not have a current disability to include TMJ, nasal, or right wrist disorders related to service. The Board finds that VA has fulfilled the duties to notify and assist in this case.,VA has also found no evidence of current lumbar spine or cervical spine disabilities.

The Board has granted an effective date of September 29, 2008 for the grant of service connection for right wrist ulnar dysfunction and a 30 percent rating for tinea versicolor. The Veteran's original claims were received on these dates.

The Veteran's bilateral wrist, knee, and ankle disabilities were incurred in service. The Veteran's left ear hearing loss disability was caused by service. Tinnitus was also found to be incurred in service. Service connection for lumbar spondylosis and left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right wrist disability.

The Board has ordered the case REMANDED to the AOJ for issuance of a supplemental statement of the case addressing all issues currently on appeal, including consideration of additional evidence added to the record since the August 2012 statement of the case.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for residuals of bilateral photo refractive keratectomy, right wrist disability (IBS), and a disability manifested by incoordination, excessive sweating, feeling faint, feeling weak, joint pain, low energy, muscle pain, and muscle weakness. These conditions are presumed to be due to Gulf War exposure.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome was not present during service and is unrelated to his service-connected cubital tunnel syndrome. Therefore, service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral upper extremity disorders, carpal tunnel syndrome, and peripheral neuropathy are not related to his active military service or to his service-connected lumbar and thoracic spine disorders.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left wrist disorder, arthritis, and TFCC dysfunction are not service connected. The claim for service connection was denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for a TDIU was denied as there were no pending claims prior to October 1, 2012 and the criteria for a schedular TDIU had not been met.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for service connection for various lower and upper extremity disorders, including peripheral neuropathy, carpal tunnel syndrome, and a left foot disorder. The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to determine the etiology of these conditions.