Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claims for increased ratings for left hand arthritis, right hand arthritis, and bilateral wrist conditions are dismissed as the Veteran withdrew them during his hearing. The claims for increased rating for status post left knee replacement and neck condition are remanded.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis, and degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine are caused by his service-connected right knee instability and degenerative arthritis.,There is at least a reasonable doubt as to whether the Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis is caused by his service-connected right knee instability and degenerative arthritis. The evidence is approximately evenly balanced on this issue.,The Veteran's left carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by his service-connected right carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has granted service connection for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) in both the left and right hands, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions had their onset during service or within a year of separation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU due to issues with the left wrist navicular fracture. The case will be reviewed again, including consideration of extraschedular evaluations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, finding no relationship between his current condition and his active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including DDD of the cervical and thoracolumbar spine, bilateral hearing loss, GERD, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, dermatitis, squamous cell skin cancer, CTS, upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, TBI, and migraine headaches. The Board found that there was no in-service injury or event supporting the claims for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss and entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The Veteran was found not to have current left ear hearing loss for VA purposes, and his employment as a service technician was considered in determining that he could secure and follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as his service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's clothing was damaged by a brace he uses for his service-connected left knee disability. The Board has granted payment of a clothing allowance for the calendar year 2014.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of sleep apnea and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome for further development. The Veteran's service connection claims are being reviewed due to insufficient information in the VA examinations.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is currently rated at 20 percent, effective September 5, 2006. The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the left hand and right hand are both rated at 10 percent each. His demyelinating neuropathies of the lower extremities are both rated at 20 percent each. His chronic ischemic heart disease is currently rated at 30 percent, effective January 20, 2016.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and bilateral trigger finger, but remanded her claim for hypertension. The decision is mixed as some issues were granted (bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome) and others were not (bilateral trigger finger).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left knee disability, right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, and acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD, adjustment disorder, depression, anxiety, personality disorder, panic attacks, and nightmares) due to incomplete service treatment records and potential Reserve service. The claims are being remanded for further development including obtaining additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examinations and evaluations to determine the nature, etiology, and severity of his right wrist disability and whether it is related to his service-connected conditions. The initial evaluation for bilateral hearing loss remains denied as there is no evidence showing a compensable level of impairment. The higher staged evaluations for PTSD are also being remanded due to new information that may affect the Veteran's employability.

The Board has determined that additional records are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection of various orthopedic disabilities, including bilateral wrist, lumbar spine, hands, hips, knees, ankles, and feet disabilities. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various disabilities, including right wrist, cervical spine, left knee, and right knee disabilities, as well as an acquired psychiatric disability and a lumbar spine disability. The appeals are being remanded due to outstanding records from Dr. James Morgan and the Texas Rehab Commission needing to be located and associated with the file, and a VA examination for the claimed psychiatric disability and lumbar spine disability is needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for his right shoulder disorder, service connection for a neurological disorder of the right upper extremity including radiculopathy and carpal tunnel syndrome, and service connection for a cervical spine disorder due to inadequate examinations and opinions provided.

The Veteran's right wrist condition and old healed fracture of the right fifth metacarpal are both granted service connection. However, a compensable rating for the old healed fracture is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected rheumatoid arthritis did not contribute to his death from congestive heart failure and diabetes.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including a right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, right bicep tenosynovitis, carpal tunnel syndrome (right wrist), and high cholesterol. The decision also granted a higher initial rating of 10 percent for a left eyebrow scar.