Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection of carpal tunnel syndrome, thyroid condition, and carotid artery stenosis must be remanded due to the need for further development regarding herbicide exposure.

The Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome was granted service connection and rated initially at 10% before March 5, 2014. From March 5, 2014, the rating was increased to 30% for the right upper extremity and 20% for the left upper extremity. The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) is remanded.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, increased rating for right wrist strain, and initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for additional medical records and a new opinion regarding the Veteran's left wrist disability.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for his left wrist disability was denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 10 percent for the entire period on appeal, which includes a temporary total convalescent rating from February 16, 2016 to June 30, 2016. He is also receiving a separate 10 percent rating for his left wrist scar.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations. The right knee, high cholesterol, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, low back disability, circulatory system disability (other than hypertension), and psychiatric disability (other than delusional disorder) issues remain under review.

The appeals for service connection and increased ratings for hearing loss, left ankle sprain residuals, bilateral neurologic disability (including carpal tunnel syndrome), and an acquired psychiatric disorder are dismissed. The case is remanded for additional examinations to determine the relationship between current disabilities and service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete verification of her periods of active duty and inactive duty training. The claims will be further adjudicated after verifying her service history.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hand/wrist, low back, and left ankle conditions due to a fall from a ladder in-service. Additional medical opinions are needed regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's petition to reopen previously denied claims for left wrist condition, bilateral ankle tendinitis, and low back condition were granted. The petitions for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were denied.

The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed to properly assess the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, specifically his back and carpal tunnel syndrome. The claims for increased ratings will be remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for residuals, fracture of right wrist is granted. The disability is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for various wrist, ankle, neck, back, shoulder, knee, and toe conditions as there was no evidence of current disabilities or in-service injuries that could be linked to these conditions.

Compensation for bladder cancer is denied. Service connection for cervical spine, right wrist, and right ankle disorders is granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the service connection claims for right wrist and right thumb disabilities before a decision was made.

The Veteran's bilateral wrist CTS is granted, and the effective date for service connection of lateral epicondylitis, left elbow, is set at November 21, 2005. The issue of whether a May 2004 Board decision should be revised or reversed based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE) is addressed in a separate, concurrent decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck, lumbar spine, right hip, left knee, right knee, left hip, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities. The claims are also remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for ulcers, left knee condition, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, left wrist condition, and migraines due to new and material evidence. The claims are remanded for further development including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's positive tuberculin reaction, venereal warts, and other conditions were not service-connected as they did not manifest during or after his military service.,Otitis media of the left ear was preexisting and not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's dermatitis is rated at 10 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under either the old or new VA criteria.,The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome in the right wrist is currently rated at 30 percent and his left wrist is rated at 20 percent. Neither of these ratings meets the criteria for a higher rating based on the severity of symptoms.