Wrist & hand decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hand disability, diagnosed as a bilateral hand strain, arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome is not related to service. The preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that his current disabilities are due to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied across the board due to lack of evidence supporting his assertions or current diagnoses.

The Veteran's right and left foot heel spur disabilities have been granted a 10 percent rating.,Increased ratings greater than 10 percent are not warranted for either the Veteran's right or left heel spur disabilities.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for left and right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as sleep apnea secondary to PTSD. The case will be remanded for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left and right wrist fractures were denied. The low back disability claim was reopened but remains denied, as is the claim for cellulitis of the left foot.,Service connection for a low back disability and cellulitis of the left foot have been reopened due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral shoulder, wrist, and thumb arthritis as well as PTSD. The Veteran's service connection claim will be reviewed again due to lack of VA examination records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left wrist, headache, and sinusitis disabilities have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability at any point during the appeal period.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to be related to her military service and granted service connection.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss is not warranted as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and to obtain updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's left wrist disability is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum schedular rating based on limitation of motion. The evidence does not support an increase to a higher rating due to lack of ankylosis or other factors.

Service connection for a right hand/wrist disability is denied as there is no evidence of such condition during or immediately following service.,Service connection for a left hand/wrist disability is denied as there is no evidence of such condition during or immediately following service.,Service connection for a cervical spine disability is denied as there is no evidence of such condition during or immediately following service.

The Veteran's small tear of the triangular fibrocartilage of her left wrist is granted as secondary to her service-connected right wrist carpal arthrosis with fusion.

The Veteran's use of his VA-issued left wrist and back braces caused damage to his clothing, warranting a clothing allowance.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and aortic stenosis were denied as new and material evidence was not received. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, left carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), residuals of a left arm injury with history of cubital tunnel (left arm injury), degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, and tinea cruris were all service connected. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus was rated at 20 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for diabetes, hypertension, sarcoidosis, a lumbar spine disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and rheumatoid arthritis. The Board found no evidence that these conditions began during or were caused by his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to care for most of his daily personal needs or to protect himself from the hazards and dangers incident to his daily environment without the assistance of others, warranting SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his service-connected right wrist fracture, a temporary total rating based on convalescence following surgery, and a TDIU have been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral vestibular disease (vertigo) and denied service connection for fibromyalgia and chronic disability of the fallopian tubes. Service connection was also granted for ovarian cysts.

The Veteran's surgery for right ulnar nerve decompression with subcutaneous transposition on September 8, 2008 necessitated at least three months of convalescence and resulted in the necessity for continued use of a hand cast. The Board has granted a temporary total rating under 38 C.F.R. § 4.30 from September 8, 2008 to December 7, 2008.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure a complete record and fair evaluation of the Veteran's claims. Specifically, new examinations are required for her lumbar spine, left knee, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome disabilities, as well as obtaining any outstanding VA treatment records.