Wrist & hand decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal for a higher disability rating for his left wrist disability is denied as the current 10 percent rating adequately reflects the functional impairment due to pain, weakness, and fatigability without ankylosis or limitation of motion affecting two major joints.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of CTS in his left wrist or a pinched nerve in his left elbow, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's right carpal tunnel syndrome was rated at 50 percent prior to April 13, 2016 and increased to 70 percent from that date. The Board also granted a TDIU based on the Veteran's service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right carpal tunnel syndrome is related to active duty service and granted service connection for this condition. The issues of left carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral hearing loss associated with punctured left ear drum, and residuals of punctured left ear drum are addressed in the REMAND portion of the decision.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and left carpal tunnel syndrome. The Veteran's current diagnoses do not meet the criteria for a service-connected disability in all cases.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 30 percent from October 1, 2006 through June 14, 2016 and at 70 percent from June 15, 2016. The TDIU rating is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral wrist disability is not related to service, as there is no evidence of a current left or right wrist condition during service and no medical opinion linking his current carpal tunnel syndrome to service.,There is insufficient evidence to establish a link between the Veteran's current left hip disability and service.

The Veteran's scar of the left wrist is not deep or painful, and it does not cause limitation of motion or other disabling effects. The criteria for a compensable initial rating for a left wrist scar have not been met.

The Veteran's combined rating for service connected disabilities was sufficient to meet the criteria for a TDIU as of May 14, 2010. The Board found that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that there is not sufficient evidence to establish service connection for a neurological disorder of the bilateral upper extremities or peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities, as these conditions are not shown to be related to active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's pre-existing right wrist injury existed prior to his active duty service and was not aggravated by service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's right wrist DJD was granted a separate initial rating of 10 percent prior to November 6, 2014. The issue remains on appeal for the left knee DJD.

The Board found that the Veteran's right wrist disability was not incurred in or aggravated by service and is not related to his service-connected right index finger fracture. The claim for secondary service connection was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, dizzy spells, chronic memory loss, erectile dysfunction (ED), and intestinal disorder have been granted. The claim for a rating greater than 10 percent for left wrist strain with ganglion remains pending.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral wrist disorder and his claimed undiagnosed illness symptoms, including chronic fatigue, muscle and joint pains, tremors, muscle weakness, dysphagia, and abdominal pains.

The Veteran has a bilateral wrist disability that became manifest during his service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations, and is presumed to be due to undiagnosed illness as a result of his military service.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of chronic disabilities affecting the right hip, low back, middle finger, ankles, wrists, thumbs, or shoulder during service. The Veteran's current complaints are not supported by objective medical findings and he does not have a currently diagnosed disability for which service connection can be granted.

The Board finds that H.C. was not permanently incapable of self-support by reason of mental or physical defect before the date of attaining the age of 18 years, and therefore does not meet the criteria for recognition as a 'helpless child'.

The Board has ordered the case remanded to the AOJ due to procedural issues, including a VLJ no longer being available. The Veteran is scheduled for a new hearing before the Board.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for left ear hearing loss, cervical spine disability, a skin disorder of the face and chin, bilateral knee disability, and acquired psychiatric disorders. The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for eczema of the feet was also denied.