Wrist & hand decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of the residuals of right wrist scar was denied. The Board found that the first formal or informal claim for this condition was received on July 31, 2012.,The Veteran's request for a compensable rating for his right wrist scar was also denied. The VA medical examinations did not find any painful or unstable scars.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for an SOC regarding service connection for cubital tunnel syndrome and/or carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity, as well as an increased rating for mood disorder.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right carpal tunnel syndrome were denied as the current disability picture does not warrant a higher rating under the applicable schedular criteria.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a Board hearing at the appropriate RO.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and higher ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his left wrist disability, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right wrist, left wrist, right hand, or left hand disorder due to any incident of his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including a VA scar examination and review of the claims file.

The Veteran's claim to service connect a right hand disability was reopened, and he is now entitled to a higher rating for his right thumb.,Additional development is needed to determine the nature of any relationship between the Veteran's current disabilities and service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current right elbow, left elbow, right wrist, and left wrist disabilities are related to his active duty military service due to a superimposed injury from drills and push-ups during basic training.

The Board granted service connection for sleep apnea, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and dry mouth. The Veteran was assigned a noncompensable disability rating (10%) for each condition.

The Veteran's deviated septum was incurred during service and is granted service connection. The issues of carpal tunnel syndrome, heart condition with murmur, and pseudofolliculitis barbae are also addressed.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting the grant of SMC based on this need.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including Posttraumatic Stress Disorder with Depression and degenerative joint diseases, do not render him unemployable as he is currently employed.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is rated at 10 percent, with occupational and social impairment due to occasional decrease in work efficiency and intermittent periods of inability to perform tasks. The Veteran has been granted service connection for fibromyalgia but denied for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension has been reopened, but the Board finds that new evidence does not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim. The claims for increased ratings for carpal tunnel syndrome of both hands have been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed left knee disability, and his service-connected lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities do not meet the criteria for higher ratings. The Veteran's tinea pedis is rated appropriately, as are his hearing loss and CTS. His acquired psychiatric disorder, right ankle condition, and head injury with headaches and myofascial pain syndrome do not warrant increased ratings. Finally, the Board has determined that the Veteran meets the criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral elbow and right wrist disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a link to active duty service or an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for left wrist disability and back disability has been denied as there is no evidence to support higher ratings under applicable Diagnostic Codes.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, gastrointestinal disorder, and headaches have not been addressed.

The Board found that the Veteran has a current right wrist disability but did not establish chronic in-service symptoms. The claim for service connection was denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the current condition and service.