Wrist & hand decisions — 2016

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of the proposed reduction in his right knee rating.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and ulnar neuropathy are related to his military service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Board has resolved all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, finding that service connection is warranted for his bilateral knee disability and right eye disability. The Veteran's bilateral wrist condition was not addressed as it appears to be a separate claim.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left wrist disorder should be remanded to the RO for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for a right wrist disability and neurological impairment of the right leg, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to service. The heart condition is also found to be proximately due to or aggravated by hypertension, which was found to have its onset in service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected traumatic arthritis of the left wrist with Kienbock's disease is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating for limitation of motion. The Board finds no evidence of ankylosis or other factors warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for the issues of service connection for various conditions, including bilateral leg condition, carpal tunnel syndrome, hypertension, insomnia/sleep disturbances, left ankle condition, migraine headaches, and ovarian cysts.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for complications following his October 2010 surgery at a VA facility, including limited motion of the right arm and hand, and infection of the surgical scar on his wrist. The Board finds that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate these claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's right thumb, right wrist, and bilateral knee disabilities did not have onset during active service or within one-year of service discharge and are not otherwise etiologically related to active service. The claims were denied.

The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings on several service-connected conditions have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings on several service-connected conditions have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings on several service-connected conditions have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings on several service-connected conditions have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings on several service-connected conditions have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings on several service-connected conditions have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings on several service-connected conditions have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings on several service-connected conditions have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings on several service-connected conditions have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings on several service-connected conditions have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's appeals for higher initial ratings on several service-connected conditions have been withdrawn.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling VA examinations and obtaining medical records. The Veteran's claims for service connection for sinusitis and bilateral upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome will be reconsidered based on the new evidence.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the 10 percent evaluation assigned to his right wrist disability is being remanded due to the need for additional records and further development.

The Board has remanded the case for a videoconference hearing on several claims, including those related to wrist and hand disabilities, cancer service connection, and the cause of death.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for memory loss, determined to be due to an undiagnosed illness. The right upper extremity tingling and numbness have also been granted as service-connected.,The Board notes that the issues of service connection are related but distinct. Memory loss is considered a chronic disability resulting from an undiagnosed illness, while the tingling and numbness of the right upper extremity (right carpal tunnel syndrome) has been determined to be due to new evidence.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals on all ten issues of service connection. The Board does not have jurisdiction to review these matters.

The Board has granted service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that new and material evidence was received to reopen the claim.

The Board has granted service connection for undiagnosed left knee, right knee, right wrist, and left shoulder joint pain as due to a qualifying chronic disability under the provisions of the Persian Gulf Veterans' Act.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and denied the claim for an initial compensable rating for right wrist sprain/strain with ligament damage.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right wrist disability, including a right wrist strain and chronic pain syndrome, is related to his active duty service. The claim for service connection is granted.