Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, Type I, is rated at 60 percent disabling. The Board also granted a TDIU rating due to the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his service, and new evidence supports reopening of his claim for right wrist fracture. The pre-existing condition was aggravated by active duty service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim and granted service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity, finding that new evidence supports a current diagnosis and establishes a relationship to service.

The Veteran has provided new and material evidence to reopen his claims for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right and left upper extremities. The Board finds that he experienced hand pain and numbness during service, which may be related to his current disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, left shoulder disability, and carpal tunnel syndrome in the left wrist are not supported by evidence showing a direct relationship to service. The preponderance of the evidence does not support these claims.

The Board denied service connection for lumbosacral strain, left ankle/foot strain, and bilateral pes planus. Service connection was granted for low back disability (DDD with stenosis and dextroscoliosis), numbness in the left leg and foot, residuals of injury to the right leg, including hip, ankle, and foot, and residuals of injury to the left wrist, hand, and fingers.

The Veteran's service-connected tension headaches, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and cervical spondylosis disabilities prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment. After affording the Veteran the benefit of the doubt, his service-connected disabilities alone are sufficient to meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected spinal stenosis with degenerative disease, including IVDS, warrants a 40 percent rating throughout the appeal period. The Veteran also meets criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's cervical spondylosis disability has not shown sustained improvement since January 1, 2016. The current rating of 10 percent is appropriate.,The Veteran's right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome did not meet the criteria for a higher rating from August 19, 2014, to December 16, 2015, and since December 17, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right wrist tendonitis is granted. The Board found that the Veteran has demonstrated a right wrist tendonitis disability during the appeal, and such disability first manifested during active service.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals regarding the increased ratings and service connection for various conditions, including left shoulder disability, right wrist disability, right foot disability, left foot disability, right great toe disability (hallux valgus), herpes simplex virus type 2, and genital warts.

The Board has remanded the case due to a hearing request not being followed up. The Veteran's claims for service connection for various arthritis conditions in multiple joints are on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left wrist disabilities, to include carpal tunnel syndrome, are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's right ankle disability was not incurred in active service and the Board finds that service connection for a right ankle disability is not warranted.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for an epididymal cyst has been granted. Service connection is also established for hemorrhoids.

The Veteran's right ankle sprains are currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling. The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left wrist disability and therefore service connection for this condition is denied.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for service connection for hypertensive vascular disease with hypertension and osteoarthritis of the bilateral knees, ankles, and wrists. As a result, the claims are dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss are service-connected.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus, as it is at least as likely as not incurred in service due to noise exposure. Service connection is also granted for bilateral hearing loss, as it is at least as likely as not incurred in service due to noise exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral knee disability, neurological disorder of the bilateral upper extremities, and low back disability is denied as there is no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome in both the right and left upper extremities, finding that it is related to the Veteran's service as an aviator.