Wrist & hand decisions — 2017

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed elbow, wrist, and neck conditions. The claims are being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's claim for a right shoulder disability is reopened, and he is granted a 10% rating for his left wrist disability since April 24, 2007. The Board also grants the Veteran TDIU based on service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome was evaluated at a 10 percent rating prior to October 5, 2016. After this date, the disability was rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including an audiologist opinion to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to function in a work setting.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected fragment wounds to the left forearm and elbow is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he requested the withdrawal of his appeal in its entirety.

The Board denied service connection for peptic ulcers, thoracolumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and headaches. The decision also found that the Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected based on continuity of symptomatology since service. The other issues have been remanded for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing before the Board. The issues on appeal include service connection for postoperative residuals of right and left inguinal herniorrhaphies, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and variously diagnosed psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and provide addendum opinions regarding the etiology of his hearing loss, left hand/wrist injury residuals, and diabetes mellitus. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Veteran's sinusitis has been rated at 30 percent since December 8, 2006. The Board also granted a TDIU effective from December 8, 2006, based on the combined impact of multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to missing medical records from Dr. Gore of Carolina Spine and Pain Rehab and Gastonia Memorial Hospital.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a bilateral wrist disability were denied. The lumbar spine disability was granted with an initial rating of 20 percent, effective August 1, 2009. The left lower extremity radiculopathy claim resulted in no change to the existing 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's right and left carpal tunnel syndrome prior to April 10, 2009 was found to more nearly approximate mild incomplete paralysis of the lower radicular group nerves.

The Board denied compensable evaluations for scars of the right forearm and wrist, finding that the Veteran's service-connected scars did not meet criteria for a higher rating due to lack of tenderness or instability. The same was true for his scars of the right shoulder and upper arm.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and reasoning in the previous decision, requiring a new VA examination to determine if there is an etiological link between the Veteran's service and his current right wrist and low back disabilities for purposes of establishing direct service connection under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303(d).

The Veteran was not found to be unemployable due to service-connected disabilities prior to November 13, 2006. His TDIU claim is therefore denied for an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's service-connected right wrist ganglion cyst with residual scar does not warrant a compensable rating as it is currently asymptomatic and does not cause significant functional impairment.

The Veteran's right hip osteophytes, left hip strain, and right hand carpal tunnel syndrome resulted in pain throughout the appeal period.,A 10 percent rating was granted for each condition from October 27, 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current neck disability is not related to service or a service-connected disability, but his right upper extremity neurological disorder (carpal tunnel syndrome) is secondary to his service-connected residuals of the right hand and wrist injury.