Wrist & hand decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right wrist disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development and review of new evidence.

The Board denied service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist and arthritis of the right hand, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for heart disability, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, bilateral foot disabilities (arthritis), and bilateral upper extremity disabilities (carpal tunnel syndrome) are inextricably intertwined with his exposure to herbicide agents during service. Therefore, these claims have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for depression, NOS is dismissed. The rating for his back disability is denied. The appeals for the right and left foot disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's left carpal tunnel syndrome is being remanded for an addendum opinion to determine if it is proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected right elbow and wrist disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable initial disability rating for scars of the left wrist was dismissed. The claims for service connection for cervical and lumbar spine conditions were granted, with the cervical spine condition receiving an initial 10% disability rating.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to occupational and social impairment with deficiencies in most areas.,The Veteran's left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome is currently rated at 30 percent. The evidence does not support an increase to a higher rating as there is no severe incomplete paralysis of the nerve.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction for further development.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is being remanded for additional examination to determine the extent of functional loss due to flare-ups and repetitive use, as well as range of motion testing.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral patellofemoral pain syndrome and left knee condition, but denied service connection for right wrist condition and left wrist condition.

The Board dismissed all issues related to service connection and rating for various conditions as the Veteran died during the appeal process.

The Veteran's left ankle disorder and left wrist osteoarthritis status post fracture are not service-connected.,The Veteran is not entitled to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected left wrist osteoarthritis status post fracture.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss disability, carpal tunnel syndrome of the right and left upper extremities, and right leg varicose veins have been denied.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are currently rated as follows: 10 percent for tinnitus; 10 percent for bilateral hearing loss disability; 10 percent for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity prior to November 27, 2013 and from November 1, 2015; 10 percent for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity prior to November 27, 2013 and from November 1, 2015; and 10 percent for right leg varicose veins.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding treatment records and further medical opinions are needed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lung cancer, diabetes mellitus, type II, and upper extremity disorders due to exposure to herbicide agents. The claim for erectile dysfunction was also denied. Service-connected burial benefits were not granted as the cause of death was listed as lung cancer.

The Veteran's ratings for low back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and right upper extremity ulnar impaction syndrome were restored to 40%, 20%, and 30% respectively effective July 1, 2016. The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left wrist disability was denied.,Restoration of ratings for low back disability, RLE radiculopathy, and RUE ulnar impaction syndrome were granted based on improvement demonstrated by the evidence of record.

The Veteran's claims for left ear hearing loss and right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome have been denied as there is no current disability found. The Veteran’s claim of service connection for status post-surgical removal of bilateral gynecomastia with elective cosmetic surgical revision has been remanded due to insufficient medical evidence.,The VA examiner will be asked to determine if the preexisting bilateral gynecomastia was permanently increased in severity during active service.

The Board granted service connection for lumbar spondylosis as secondary to bilateral knee disabilities and denied the Veteran's claims for left hand/wrist disability, acquired psychiatric disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, cellulitis of the right upper extremity, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for a rating in excess of 40 percent for right wrist disability before the Board could make a decision.