Wrist & hand decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left carpal tunnel syndrome and left shoulder impingement are not related to his service-connected conditions, and thus denied both claims.

The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the right and left wrists is currently rated at 20 percent, reflecting moderate impairment.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right hand ganglion cyst resection was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher evaluation, as there were no scars or disfigurement of the head face, neck, or other areas covered by Diagnostic Codes 7800-7805. The Veteran's symptoms related to his service-connected disability are secondary to non-service connected carpal tunnel syndrome and cubital tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to March 14, 2016.

The Veteran's residuals of a left forearm fracture are currently rated at 10 percent, effective from November 1, 2004. The fascial herniation bulge and left wrist strain have both been rated as 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeals for hyperlipidemia, left wrist disability (carpal tunnel syndrome), left ankle strain, and left knee strain have been withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to questions regarding secondary service connection for traumatic arthritis of the right wrist, which was previously granted as service-connected navicular fracture. The Veteran needs updated VA treatment records and a VA opinion on whether the arthritis is caused or aggravated by the service-connected condition.

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

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea, major depression, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, bladder dysfunction, right shoulder arthritis, allergic rhinitis, left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, hypertension, and pseudofolliculitis barbae, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since June 1, 2012.

The Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and left wrist disability are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the etiology of her conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right wrist, neck, and low back disabilities are not service-connected as they were not shown to be incurred or aggravated during his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate opinions in the July 2015 VA examination and failure to provide an opinion regarding whether any right hand disability is related to service-connected degenerative arthritis of the spine or aggravated by it.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a neurological disorder manifested by pain, numbness, and tingling to include polyneuropathy, radiculopathy, and carpal tunnel syndrome, claimed as due to cold weather exposure. The evidence did not support a finding of a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome, left elbow disability, and left shoulder disability are not service connected.,There is no evidence of a current diagnosis for left hand arthritis.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his request for a videoconference hearing regarding the right wrist disorder and an SOC on the right knee rating claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and providing addendum opinions from VA examiners.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a personal hearing before a Veterans Law Judge. The issues include reopening claims for various conditions, but the status of some claims and service connection theory are unknown.

The Board found that the Veteran's current low back, left ribs region, left ankle, and right wrist disabilities were not incurred in or aggravated by active service. The VA examinations did not find a link between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD prevented her from securing and following any substantially gainful employment from October 1995 to March 14, 1997.