Wrist & hand decisions — 2018

The Veteran's left shoulder disorder is not related to service, as there are no records of treatment or complaints during service and the condition was first noted years after separation.,The Veteran's right wrist disability does not warrant a higher initial rating at any point since the grant of service connection.

The Veteran seeks earlier effective dates for service connection for peripheral neuropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome of the upper extremities, as well as for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. The Board has determined that the earliest date on which these claims could be granted is based on when the Veteran first submitted a claim to VA.,The Veteran's original claim was denied in July 1978 and October 1994, but both decisions became final as the Veteran did not file timely notices of disagreement or submit new and material evidence within one year. The claims were reopened in August 1996 for upper extremities and November 2002 for lower extremities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his lumbar spine, right wrist and hand, and right arm disabilities were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal as he is no longer alive.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left wrist disability due to further development and examination being required.

The Veteran's use of wrist braces to treat his service-connected right and left wrist disabilities tends to wear and tear his clothing, and he is entitled to a clothing allowance for 2014 due to the use of a right wrist brace and left wrist brace.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination to assess his neurological manifestations of the service-connected left wrist disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and therefore the criteria for a TDIU have not been met.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to assess the Veteran's right wrist and bilateral foot conditions, as his service treatment records are unavailable due to a fire at the National Personnel Records Center. The appeal for these issues is REMANDED.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed due to his death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of both upper extremities is related to his military service and grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's left wrist ganglion cysts are related to service, and his left ankle disability is currently rated at the highest possible rating based on marked limitation of motion.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations. The right wrist and neck disorders were not incurred in service, but are considered direct service-connected.

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbosacral spine is rated at 60 percent, effective September 2, 2014. The scars are rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities on his employability.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is primarily manifested by pain and limitation of motion, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as there is no ankylosis. The maximum schedular rating has been assigned.

The Board found no evidence of a current right wrist disorder or left wrist degenerative arthritis that is related to service.,The Veteran's skin condition other than his service-connected eczema and verruca vulgaris was not diagnosed during service.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeal, and the Board does not have jurisdiction to review the appeal.

The Board found that the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, cervical degenerative arthritis with spondylosis and right arm radiculopathy, and degenerative arthritis of the arms, wrists, and hands did not manifest during service or within one year after separation from service. The evidence also indicated that these conditions were not related to service. Therefore, the Veteran's claims for service connection were denied.

The Veteran's depression is service-connected as secondary to his service-connected knee disabilities.,Service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and posterior vitreous detachment are not addressed in this decision.