Wrist & hand decisions — 2016

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining STRs and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination, and attempting to obtain any outstanding federal records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right hand and left foot disabilities did not originate during her military service, including her Reserve duty. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The RO assigned non-compensable disability ratings for bilateral wrist tendonitis and left elbow tendonitis, effective April 21, 2010.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and an earlier effective date were dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal of increased staged ratings for PTSD, was satisfied with his current rating for burns to his right hand, arm, and wrist, and requested withdrawal of all other issues. The TDIU claim is addressed in a separate remand.

The Board denied service connection for the claimed disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of in-service herbicide exposure or other service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's right carpal tunnel syndrome is currently evaluated as 30 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran seeks service connection for right and left wrist disabilities, including carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). The Board finds that a remand is required to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left carpal tunnel syndrome is related to her exposure to excessive hand vibration during active duty service, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to obtain or maintain gainful employment, and the preponderance of evidence is against his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including ischemic heart disease and diabetes mellitus type II with nephropathy, have been linked to several of his current conditions. The Board has granted secondary service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating, service connection, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The claims of diabetes mellitus and bilateral wrist disability will be addressed in a Statement of the Case.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right wrist tenosynovitis warrants a 10 percent rating, as it does not meet criteria for higher ratings due to ankylosis or other functional impairment.

The Veteran's appeal regarding the issues of bilateral hearing loss, bilateral wrist disability, sleep apnea, and residuals of meningitis has been withdrawn.,The Veteran's bilateral pes planus clearly and unmistakably pre-existed active duty service and was not incurred or aggravated by such service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete development and missing records. The claims will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for diabetes mellitus type II was denied as his condition did not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on frequency of hospitalizations or visits to diabetic care providers. His service-connected carpal tunnel syndrome, hypertension, and erectile dysfunction were also considered in determining the appropriate disability rating.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and all issues on appeal have been dismissed.

The Veteran's urinary incontinence is rated at 40 percent, and the Board has granted a higher rating of 60 percent based on his need to change absorbent materials more than four times per day due to urine leakage.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected and non-service connected disabilities, including those related to a November 1981 motor vehicle accident. The claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain updated VA treatment records and SSA records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting right fifth finger disability did not undergo a permanent increase in severity during service, and no chronic right wrist disorder was incurred or aggravated inservice.,Regarding the left ankle issue, there is no evidence of an in-service occurrence of a left ankle injury. The current left ankle sprain is also not linked to active service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, left wrist disability, right toe disability, and left breast disability. A VA examination is needed to determine the current nature and etiology of these conditions.