Wrist & hand decisions — 2016

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hand and wrist tenosynovitis is not currently shown, and thus service connection for this condition cannot be granted.

The Veteran's residuals of ganglion cyst and sinusitis have been evaluated as 10 percent disabling, the maximum under applicable diagnostic codes. The evidence does not show that these conditions warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's hypertension with claimed kidney infarct has been evaluated as noncompensable, while his left carpal tunnel syndrome claim remains pending. The Board finds that additional examination and/or development is necessary for the left carpal tunnel syndrome claim.

The Veteran's left hand carpal tunnel syndrome is rated at 20 percent effective June 26, 2013. The appeal for higher ratings prior to that date and for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder are dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and SSA records.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for PTSD is denied. The appeal seeking a TDIU rating was withdrawn by the Veteran's representative.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates have been denied as the earliest date of receipt of a claim is not prior to the assigned effective dates.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, or a bilateral eye disability. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected ganglion cysts of the right and left wrists, finding that the current 10% ratings adequately reflect the severity and symptomatology of his disabilities.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support a finding of service connection for the Veteran's left wrist disorder, as it was not shown in service or for many years thereafter and is not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability, and there is no evidence linking his current condition to service. The most probative medical opinion indicates that any current right wrist disability did not develop as a result of service.,There is insufficient evidence to diagnose a current right wrist disability, and the VA examiner opined that any such disability is less likely related to service.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to evaluate the Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, which is currently being remanded for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's left wrist disability has been rated at 10 percent since October 25, 2009. The VA determined that the condition does not warrant a higher rating as it did not result in ankylosis or significant limitation of motion.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for service connection claims and initial disability rating claims. The Board found no evidence of a current left shoulder disorder, and the issues concerning bilateral hand disorders, left wrist disorders, mechanical low back pain with mild joint facet arthropathy, postoperative residuals of a fracture of the right wrist, right wrist surgical scar, and left ankle sprain were not addressed due to lack of service connection claims. The Veteran's appeal is denied.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, but the Board found that a higher rating is not warranted due to limitation of motion above shoulder level.,Similarly, the Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling and the Board determined no higher rating was warranted based on similar findings of limited motion above shoulder level. ,The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist is currently rated at 10 percent due to mild incomplete paralysis of the median nerve, but the Board found that a higher rating is not warranted as it does not result in moderate or severe incomplete paralysis.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude her from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to May 6, 2014.

The Board found that the Veteran's diagnosed peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities and carpal tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity are not related to his period of military service, including his presumed exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hip, right ankle, and left wrist disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's postoperative carpal tunnel release, right hand is rated at a 10 percent disability rating since the onset of his claim. The Board has determined that he is entitled to this rating throughout the entire period of the claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a grant of service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, and his lumbar spine disability was rated as 20 percent disabling based on painful limitation of motion.