Wrist & hand decisions — 2018

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right elbow disability, left wrist residuals, and low back disability are not service-connected as they did not manifest in service or are not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of recent legal decisions.

The Veteran's appeal for earlier effective dates for the award of service connection for PTSD on the basis of CUE and earlier effective dates for the award of service connection for various conditions was dismissed because his substantive appeal was not timely filed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for CTS of the right and left upper extremities were denied as his symptoms do not more nearly approximate severe incomplete paralysis of the median nerve.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of both her left and right wrists, finding no evidence that these conditions were incurred in service.

The Board found that the Veteran was properly found to be rehabilitated for purposes of the vocational rehabilitation program, but there is insufficient evidence to determine whether his service-connected disabilities have worsened to the extent that they preclude him from performing the duties of school paraprofessional or if the occupation is now unsuitable on the basis of his specific employment handicap and capabilities. The case is REMANDED for additional development.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right wrist and hand disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be service-connected. The right knee and wrist disabilities are remanded for additional development.

The combined effects of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his left hand disability and right hand carpal tunnel syndrome, make him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's bilateral knee and right wrist disabilities are presumed to be related to her service in Southwest Asia. The left hip disability is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for nightmare disorder, and the effective date for a 20 percent rating for residuals of excisional biopsy, granulomatous, buccal sulcus, right side of mouth is not warranted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, diabetes mellitus type II, cubital tunnel syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, erectile dysfunction, fatigue, and PTSD have been denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen any of these claims.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II was reopened based on his assertion that he was diagnosed with diabetes during active duty.

The Veteran does not have a diagnosed bilateral hand, elbow, wrist, or foot disability that is service-connected.

The Veteran does not have a current left ankle condition that manifested during, or as a result of, active military service.,The Veteran does not have a current right shoulder condition that manifested during, or as a result of, active military service, nor does he have a current right shoulder condition that was caused by, or aggravated by, a service-connected right elbow disability.,The Veteran does not have a current lumbar spine condition that manifested during, or as a result of, active military service.,The Veteran does not have a current bone condition that manifested during, or as a result of, active military service.,The Veteran does not have a current right hand carpal tunnel syndrome condition that manifested during, or as a result of, active military service, nor does he have a current right hand carpal tunnel syndrome condition that was caused by, or aggravated by, a service-connected right elbow disability.,The Veteran does not have a current left hand carpal tunnel syndrome condition that manifested during, or as a result of, active military service, nor does he have a current left hand carpal tunnel syndrome condition that was caused by, or aggravated by, a service-connected right elbow disability.,The Veteran does not have a current right knee condition that manifested during, or as a result of, active military service, nor does he have a current right knee condition that was caused by, or aggravated by, a service-connected right elbow disability.,The Veteran does not have a current left knee condition that manifested during, or as a result of, active military service, nor does he have a current left knee condition that was caused by, or aggravated by, a service-connected right elbow disability.,The Veteran does not have a current right hip condition that manifested during, or as a result of, active military service.,The Veteran does not have a current left hip condition that manifested during, or as a result of, active military service.

The Veteran is currently rated at 10 percent for his service-connected diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted as there is no evidence of ankylosis or other disabling pathology affecting these disabilities.,The Veteran's wrist disability has been evaluated under Diagnostic Code 5214, which addresses limitation of motion. There is no evidence of ankylosis at any point on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for a left wrist disability and an acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD. The Veteran's current left wrist condition was not found to be related to his in-service injury, while the VA examiner determined that he does not have a mental disorder that conforms to DSM-5 criteria.,There is no evidence of a diagnosed acquired psychiatric disability, to include PTSD, during service or within one year after separation. The Veteran's current cognitive impairment was noted but not linked to service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no left ear hearing loss disability and concluded that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a diagnosis of sensorineural hearing loss under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and treatment records.

The Veteran's left ankle disability was rated at 10 percent prior to December 8, 2016. As of that date, the disability is rated at 20 percent due to marked limitation of motion. The compensable rating for the left wrist scar remains unchanged.