Wrist & hand decisions — 2017

The Veteran's combined rating for service-connected disabilities is 60 percent from February 24, 2014. The Board finds that referral for extraschedular consideration for the period since June 2009 is not warranted as the Veteran is capable of performing the physical and mental acts required by sedentary jobs.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's migraine headaches and bruxism/ TMJ disorder manifested during his military service, and thus grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, a psychiatric disability (depression), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) have been denied. The claim for service connection for loss of memory has also been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for GERD is pending as additional development is needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current disabilities, including residuals of mild decompression syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, and peripheral neuropathy, are not related to his service. The Veteran's right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis is considered a separate issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is secondary to his service-connected Type 2 diabetes mellitus, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right hand disability, diagnosed as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) and/or cellulitis, is at least in equipoise with service connection due to its onset during his military service or being proximately caused by or aggravated by his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnosis of bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is not related to military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his pulmonary condition and multiple musculoskeletal issues, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment since September 17, 2013.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for periodontitis has been granted, as the evidence shows that his exposure to herbicides in Vietnam is presumed. The claims for other conditions have also been reopened and are pending further review.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for peptic ulcer disease, degenerative joint disease of the right wrist, and residuals of right wrist radial nerve damage are being remanded due to a lack of proper notice regarding VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable prior to September 8, 2011. The Board finds that the evidence does not show he was incapable of securing and following a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right wrist degenerative joint disease and TDIU, finding that the current condition did not manifest during or as a result of active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's service connection claims for left and right arm disabilities, left hand disability, right hand disability, right wrist disability, and right foot callus. The Board found no competent evidence of an in-service injury or event related to these conditions, and there was insufficient medical opinion linking any diagnosed conditions to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected left ankle sprain has been rated as noncompensable prior to March 16, 2017 and at a 10 percent rating thereafter. The Board found that the disability manifested in painful motion throughout the relevant claim period but did not meet the criteria for an increased rating.,The Veteran's service-connected right wrist strain has been rated as 10 percent disabling since March 24, 2009. The Board determined that the evidence did not support a higher initial rating.

The appeal is being remanded for additional development to address service connection claims, including a TDIU claim and issues related to PTSD. Medical opinions are needed regarding the etiology of low back, right ankle, and left wrist disorders.

The Board denied service connection for allergic rhinitis, a hand condition (bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome), and hypertension. The evidence did not establish that these conditions were related to the Veteran's military service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for PTSD has been withdrawn by his representative. The Board also notes that additional medical records are needed to consider the Veteran's claims of increased ratings for prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, and peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including VA examinations and consideration of new evidence. The appellant's claims for service connection on appeal are pending.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected right and left wrist arthralgia, as well as her left foot Morton's neuroma with hallux valgus and sesamoiditis, were denied. The maximum schedular rating of 10 percent is assigned for each condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to missing VA examination reports and outstanding medical records.