Wrist & hand decisions — 2016

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded to obtain additional VA opinions and examinations, as not all theories of entitlement have been addressed.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the submission of new medical evidence regarding the incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome among diabetics, and an addendum opinion is needed to consider this information.

The Board denied service connection for a sexual dysfunction disorder due to lack of evidence showing its onset during or related to active service. The Veteran's claim was reopened based on new and material evidence, but the Board found no link between his current bilateral elbow, wrist, and knee disorders and his military service.,Service connection was not granted for bilateral elbow, wrist, and knee disorders as there is no evidence of a chronic disability in service or within one year post-service. The Veteran's reported symptoms are not considered credible medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and right wrist tendonitis are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining STRs and providing medical opinions regarding the onset of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a sexual dysfunction disorder due to lack of evidence showing its onset during or as a result of active service.,Service connection was not granted for bilateral elbow, wrist, and knee disorders because the evidence did not establish their onset in service or within one year post-service.

The Veteran's left carpal tunnel syndrome is currently rated at 10 percent since October 3, 2011. The Board finds that the evidence supports a compensable rating for the period from April 30, 2010 to October 3, 2011.

The Veteran's combined service-connected disability rating is 70%, which meets the threshold for a TDIU. However, his service-connected disabilities alone do not render him unemployable.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's Navy service records and Social Security Administration (SSA) records, as well as to provide a supplemental opinion regarding the etiology of his right knee osteoarthritis. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's chronic joint pain of shoulders, wrists and ankles is a qualifying chronic disability under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317(a)(2), as it can be attributed to undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained multisymptom illness.

The Veteran's left wrist disability warrants a temporary total evaluation based on convalescence following surgery, but the issue of an increased rating remains pending.

The Veteran's residuals of a right wrist fracture prior to August 5, 2011 are manifested by pain and normal range of motion. The Board has granted an initial 10% disability rating for this condition.

The Veteran's right and left carpal tunnel syndromes have been rated as 20 percent disabling, effective October 21, 2011. The cervical spine disability has also been rated as 20 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral wrist carpal tunnel syndrome is not related to service and therefore denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD and right wrist ganglion cyst have been granted effective February 25, 2014. The Board found no evidence of a left foot disability or any other condition that would warrant an earlier effective date. The Veteran is also determined to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected carpal tunnel syndrome of the bilateral upper extremities has been granted initial evaluations of 10 percent, effective May 21, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the lack of identification of an available VA medical facility for his service-connected bronchial asthma and other conditions. The case will be readjudicated based on this information.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a neck disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, low back disability, or bilateral knee disability that is related to her active military service.,VA examinations confirmed diagnoses of DDD and DJD in the cervical spine, lumbar spine, and knees. The VA examiners concluded that these disabilities are less likely than not incurred during service.

The Board found that there is no evidence of a chronic neurological disability of the right upper extremity, and thus denied service connection for this condition. Service connection was also not granted for DJD of the right wrist as it did not meet the criteria for an initial 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that he meets the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left wrist disability was denied as there is no probative nexus evidence regarding an etiological relationship between his left wrist carpal instability and active service. The Veteran's PTSD with depressive disorder, NOS, currently rated at 50 percent disabling from September 22, 2005, under DC 9411 of the General Rating Formula for Mental Disorders.