Wrist & hand Board decisions

The case is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated information from the Veteran regarding his income and medical expenses, scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his left wrist disability, and recalculating his countable income. The appeal will be reconsidered after these steps are completed.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is found to be at least as likely as not due to in-service noise exposure, and service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's TBI, right upper extremity neuropathy, left carpal tunnel syndrome, and bilateral radiculopathy of the lower extremities are all found to be related to his service.,His right knee disorder is also found to be related to his service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating have been denied. The Board found no evidence linking the current right clavicle, right wrist, or bilateral leg disabilities to his active duty service. For left knee disability, while there is no ankylosis or other severe impairment, the Veteran does not meet criteria for a higher rating under Diagnostic Code 5003.

The Veteran's residuals of fracture/gunshot wound of the left hand have been rated as unfavorable ankylosis of four digits (index, long, ring, and little fingers) warranting a 40% rating. The Veteran's left wrist reduced motion has also been rated as noncompensable. The scar on the left hand status post gunshot wound has been rated as 20%. These ratings are granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left fifth finger fracture disorder and wrist disorder have been granted. However, the claim for service connection for a wrist disorder remains denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right and left carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as his claim for TDIU based on service-connected disabilities other than generalized anxiety disorder with panic attacks, depression, and chronic insomnia. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current vision/eye disability, and there is no evidence of peripheral neuropathy or right wrist disability during service. The preponderance of the evidence is against finding any connection between these conditions and active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral wrist arthritis did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and is not related to his service-connected traumatic arthritis of the lumbosacral spine. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been incurred during service. The Veteran's patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee is currently rated at 10%. The Veteran's left wrist/forearm pain remains pending.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated medical evidence and for the appellant to be afforded an examination. The appeal will be processed as if the hearing request was withdrawn.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and CTS of the right hand/wrist have been reopened, but new evidence does not establish that these conditions are related to his military service.,Tinnitus was not found to be incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral wrist conditions and sleep apnea are related to his military service, with all reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since June 1, 2011.

The Veteran's right hand carpal tunnel syndrome is not shown to be etiologically related to service, and the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA examinations and attempting to verify a claimed in-service stressor. The case will be returned to the Board after these actions are completed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed right (dominant) wrist tendon/cartilage injury is causally connected to an injury sustained in active service, and thus grants service connection for residuals of right wrist injury.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral shoulder disability, arm and wrist disability, neck disability, back disability, leg disability (including varicose veins and blood clots), lung disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, anxiety, memory loss, sleep disorder), and hip disability. The Board found the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability and concluding that any current conditions were not related to his in-service injuries.