Wrist & hand decisions — 2017

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination and obtaining outstanding medical records. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these actions.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is service-connected and at least as likely as not related to in-service acoustic trauma. For the period prior to February 9, 2012, his right wrist disability warrants a 10% rating based on limitation of motion and arthritis. Since February 9, 2012, no higher ratings are warranted. The Veteran's right fifth finger disability also warrants a 10% rating.

The Veteran's combined rating for his service-connected conditions is 90%, meeting the criteria for a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left forearm and wrist disability, finding no nexus between his current disabilities and military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, particularly his left wrist and foot conditions, have made him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from August 2007 through September 2009. From October 2009 to March 2013 he was able to work but has been unable to do so since April 2013.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and arthritis of the elbows were denied. The Board found no evidence to support these claims, as there was no in-service diagnosis or continuity of symptomatology since service. For the other issues, new and material evidence has not been received.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for hypertension, denied service connection for right and left carpal tunnel syndrome as secondary to service-connected disabilities, and denied service connection for sleep apnea.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of an acquired psychiatric disorder and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied. The claims of entitlement to service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral hands and right wrist disability are remanded for further development.

The Board found that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy, including CTS and tardy ulnar palsy, did not have its onset during military service or is otherwise causally related to such service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a nervous condition, now claimed as mental condition/nervousness to include depression, anxiety and sleeping problems. The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are addressed in this decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal for service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome was withdrawn. The claim of service connection for heat urticaria remains denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen it.

The Veteran's left forearm disability, including carpal tunnel syndrome and epicondylitis, is currently rated at 30 percent. A separate evaluation for arthritis or epicondylitis of the left elbow is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded both issues for additional development due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran's cervical spine disorder and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome claims are being returned for further consideration.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected right elbow and wrist disabilities do not warrant a disability rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected right wrist disability is not rated higher than the currently assigned 10 percent for residuals of a right distal radius fracture with traumatic arthritis.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen several service connection claims, but the evidence is not sufficient to establish service connection for all of the conditions listed.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for right elbow cubital tunnel syndrome and right carpal tunnel syndrome.,Service connection is also granted for left carpal tunnel syndrome, which was previously granted in a prior decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing due to her request. The issues of service connection and initial ratings remain pending.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound is denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit due to his service-connected disabilities.