Wrist & hand decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, but only partially. Service connection is established for obstructive sleep apnea and anxiety disorder. Bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities are not service-connected.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to ensure that his claims are evaluated in a thorough and proper manner.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for appropriate VA examinations to evaluate his service-connected disabilities. The issue of service connection for a cervical spine disorder was previously remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various conditions such as plantar fasciitis, wrist pain, bilateral hearing loss, paresthesias of the left fingers, a psychiatric disorder (to include depression), hand pain, and knee pain. The Veteran is not eligible for compensation benefits for any disabilities that began in or are etiologically related to his second period of active service from December 2001 through August 2007.

The Veteran's PTSD was increased to a 70% rating effective September 29, 2011. The Board granted an earlier effective date of October 2, 2012 for the TDIU and DEA benefits.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and remand of initial compensable ratings are all REMANDED due to the need for additional examinations with proper range of motion testing.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome as the evidence did not show it was incurred in or related to service.

The Veteran's CTS of the left hand has been rated at 30 percent since March 2, 2007 to June 24, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a more contemporaneous examination of his right wrist disability. Service connection claims for tinnitus and right thumb injury are referred to the AOJ.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, and she is entitled to SMC based on this need. The effective date for her entitlement to housebound status is December 11, 2013.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the severity of his right hand and wrist disabilities, including ankylosis and range of motion. The issue remains about establishing a higher initial rating for his service-connected residuals of a right hand fracture.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims of entitlement to service connection for left shoulder, right wrist, and back disabilities secondary to a service-connected left knee disability. The Veteran's history of falls due to his weak left knee extensor mechanism is considered in determining whether these conditions are related to his service-connected condition.

The Veteran requested withdrawal of the appeal regarding his depression claim, and the Board has dismissed this issue.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are not supported by the evidence of record and have been denied.

The Veteran's left wrist disability, characterized by nonunion in the lower half of the ulna and incomplete paralysis of the median nerve, has been rated at 20 percent since September 1, 2003. This rating is effective from that date.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is rated as 10 percent disabling, effective July 1, 2010. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating for this condition.,For his left and right CTS, both rated at 10 percent, the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of left ankle sprain, left plantar neuropathy, and right hand carpal tunnel syndrome have been granted. The claim for right shoulder tendonitis has resulted in a 20 percent evaluation prior to April 23, 2012, and the issue is remanded.

The Board has denied service connection for various hip, knee, ankle, foot, and hand disorders as well as bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that these conditions were not present during or related to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection, but his claims for left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome and arthritis of the left index finger and right hand are dismissed due to withdrawal by the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran should be afforded VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his current knee, ankle, foot, hand, finger, and wrist disabilities. Additionally, a VA examination is needed to assess the relationship between any kidney disability and service.