Wrist & hand decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not resulted in any new diagnoses or conditions that would warrant increased ratings. The right and left wrist carpal tunnel syndromes are resolved, as is the lumbar spine disability. The cervical spine disability remains not service connected.,No current evidence of radiculopathy or hearing loss has been found.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome is not service-connected, and her left wrist disability does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including her right hand and thumb impairment and PTSD, render her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of his service-connected left wrist disability, including any functional effects. The Veteran also needs to provide any outstanding private medical records.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not service-connected as it did not manifest within one year of separation from service and there is no evidence linking the current condition to in-service noise exposure.,There is insufficient credible evidence to establish a nexus between the Veteran's currently diagnosed bilateral wrist disability and his active duty service. The Veteran reported that he had wrist pain related to his duties as a teletype operator, but did not seek medical treatment for it during service.,The Veteran also does not have a current diagnosis of a bilateral ankle disability linked to service. He testified that he sprained his ankles due to jumping off the tank and marching on rough terrain in service.

The Board has granted service connection for a right knee disability. The Veteran's current chondromalacia with degenerative joint disease of the right knee is etiologically related to service and all reasonable doubt in her favor has been resolved.

The Veteran's lumbar strain, left shoulder sprain, and right wrist sprain were evaluated. The Veteran was granted a disability rating of 10 percent for each condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral wrist, knee, and low back disabilities are not service-connected as they are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's low back disability, diagnosed as osteoarthritis of the spine, is granted. The Veteran does not have current diagnoses for a left wrist disability, right wrist disability, or right foot disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities met the schedular criteria for a TDIU rating from March 1, 2011. The appeal period prior to January 28, 2011 is not considered as she was employed during that time.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and non-VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's complete service personnel records and any outstanding VA treatment records. The case will be remanded for these actions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right wrist tendonitis is not related to his in-service wrist injury and therefore denied service connection for residuals of a right wrist injury.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as the claims for increased ratings were not granted. The conditions, including hearing loss and sleep apnea, did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for various conditions, but denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates. The case is being remanded to issue a Statement of the Case on these issues.

The Veteran's wrist disabilities have been rated at the minimum compensable level (10%) for the entire period on appeal.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a thoracic spine disorder, right carpal tunnel syndrome, degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, diabetes mellitus, left carpal tunnel syndrome, glaucoma with cataract in the right eye and cataract in the left eye, as well as peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity. The evidence does not support a current diagnosis for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and the retrieval of outstanding private treatment records. The issues on appeal include ratings for various service-connected conditions, as well as claims for service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and various lower extremity conditions are all granted. The Board finds that the Veteran has established a current disability, in-service noise exposure, and continuity of symptoms.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right carpal tunnel syndrome did not have its onset during active service and is not etiologically related to his military service.