Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's headaches are rated at 30 percent prior to January 25, 2014 and 50 percent thereafter. Effective June 10, 2010, the Veteran is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

An initial rating of 70 percent for the right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, effective January 8, 2020, is granted.,A rating of 60 percent for the left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, effective January 8, 2020, is granted.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals on all issues related to service connection and increased ratings, as the appellant requested withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right foot, bilateral wrist, bilateral ankle, and bilateral hand disabilities due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for additional development.

The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist is currently rated at 30 percent, but a higher rating is not warranted.,Prior to August 13, 2012, his degenerative arthritis of the left knee with a Baker's cyst was rated at 10 percent. A higher rating is not warranted for this condition either.,His residuals of total left knee arthroplasty are currently rated at 30 percent since October 1, 2013.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and rating consideration due to unclear range of motion testing results and need for clarification on functional impairment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and hypertension, finding that these conditions did not manifest during his period of active duty training (ACDUTRA) in Gulfport, Mississippi. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for a respiratory disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's cervical spine disability, bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy (bilateral shoulder and elbow conditions), bilateral wrist arthritis, and bilateral knee arthritis. The claims for right foot gout and right foot condition (to include pes planus and plantar fasciitis) have been remanded.

The Board has dismissed all claims due to the Veteran's death. The appeals are not considered for merits as they have become moot.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for arthritis of the right wrist due to inadequate examination records and failure to notify the Veteran of scheduled VA examinations.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including back disability, bilateral leg disabilities, right foot and ankle disabilities, right elbow and wrist disabilities, left rib fracture, neck disability, scalp laceration, and migraine headaches. The claims are being remanded for these purposes.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and its relationship to his active service, specifically his MOS as an Automated Logistics Specialist and Gulf War exposures.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a low back disability due to incomplete development.,No current diagnosis of a left wrist condition was found during the examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date of July 6, 2011, for service connection of rheumatoid arthritis in his bilateral wrist, hand, ankle, elbow, and shoulder. The decision is based on the fact that the claim was not filed until July 6, 2011.

The Board has dismissed all issues on appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of all claims.

The Veteran's hiatal hernia with reflux and esophagitis is currently rated at 30 percent, effective January 16, 2003. The claim for a higher rating has been denied as the symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 7346.,The Veteran's right wrist disability is currently rated at 30 percent, effective January 16, 2003. The claim for a higher rating has been denied as there is no evidence of ankylosis or other severe impairment that would warrant a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5214.,The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability is currently rated at 10 percent, effective January 16, 2003. The claim for a higher rating has been denied as the evidence does not show limitation of motion that would warrant a higher rating under Diagnostic Codes 5235-5243.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right wrist ganglion cyst and right hip disorder due to inconsistencies in the VA examination report and the need to address whether the conditions are related to active duty service or undiagnosed illnesses.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including bilateral eye disability and shoulder disabilities, were denied as there is no competent medical evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The earliest post-service records of the claimed disabilities are over four decades after discharge from active duty.

The Veteran's appeal for a separate compensable evaluation for neurologic residuals of a fracture of the fourth finger of the right hand and service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome as secondary to his service-connected condition were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence supporting these claims.

The Veteran's sleep apnea disability is denied as there is no evidence of its onset during service or a relationship to an in-service injury.,The right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome is not considered secondary to the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine, chronic right shoulder, and/or lumbar spine disabilities. The examiner found these conditions are anatomically distinct.,Bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating as the average pure tone threshold in both ears is below 25 decibels at 1000 Hertz and above 70 decibels at 2000 Hertz, resulting in Level I ratings in both ears.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability does not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent as his forward flexion is greater than 15 degrees but not greater than 30 degrees. The examiner found no evidence of aggravation by other service-connected conditions.,A 20 percent disability rating for right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy beginning June 29, 2009 and a 20 percent disability rating for left upper extremity cervical radiculopathy beginning June 29, 2009 are granted.