Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a neurological disability, to include carpel tunnel syndrome, spinal stenosis, and ulnar neuropathy is being remanded due to the need for additional development including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his claims.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have any current disability due to his claimed right ankle disability, left foot frostbite, or bilateral wrist burns which could be attributed to active service or any incident of service. Therefore, the claims for these conditions are denied.

The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the left hand is rated at 10 percent and effective from May 19, 2008.,The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand is rated at 10 percent and effective from February 6, 2014. The claim for an earlier effective date is denied as there is no evidence of symptoms prior to this date.

The Veteran is entitled to a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities, including left ear hearing loss, PTSD, DJD with supraspinatus tendon tear in the left shoulder, laceration right wrist with ulnar neuropathy and degenerative changes, and bilateral tinnitus.,The Veteran's multiple service-connected conditions have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's scar on his right wrist is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,Prior to September 3, 2010, the Veteran's paresthesias of the median nerve, right wrist were not manifested by mild, incomplete paralysis. Therefore, an initial compensable evaluation prior to September 3, 2010, for this condition is denied.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals on all issues, including the claim for service connection for a chronic respiratory disorder.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his request for a hearing and his appeal in June 2017.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to her failure to attend a VA examination and because of undeliverable correspondence. A new examination will be scheduled to determine if the Veteran has a right wrist condition related to her service.

The Veteran fractured her arm and underwent surgery on April 24, 2013. The Board is remanding the case for further development to determine specific medical expenses incurred related to this injury.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and inadequate examination. The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral knee, right wrist/hand, and right ankle disorders are being returned for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the bilateral hips and shoulders, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to in-service parachute jumps. However, the Board denied service connection for arthritis of the bilateral wrists and elbows due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,Service connection was granted for arthritis of the bilateral hips and shoulders based on a positive nexus opinion from Dr. R.F.K., who noted that the Veteran's in-service parachute jumps could have set the stage for his declining musculoskeletal health.

The Veteran's low back disability is not service-connected, but his left wrist disability warrants a 10% rating prior to November 23, 2015 and remains at 10% thereafter.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have met the schedular criteria for TDIU from March 25, 2005 to April 1, 2008 and since April 1, 2013. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination in December 2011, which did not address whether the in-service left ganglion cyst could cause the later development of carpal tunnel syndrome. The Veteran is required to provide another medical opinion regarding this issue.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left wrist peripheral neuropathy prior to October 17, 2016 are being remanded due to inadequate consideration of relevant medical evidence. The Board will provide a new VA examination to address the clinical significance of this evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection are being remanded to obtain additional VA treatment records and to schedule a new VA examination.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for hepatitis C is being remanded to obtain an opinion regarding the etiology of his current diagnosis.,The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for sarcoidosis is being remanded to obtain an opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his diagnosed condition.

The Veteran's service-connected right wrist disability does not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are sufficiently severe to inhibit his ability to obtain gainful employment, and the Board has granted a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule a VA examination for hearing loss and tinnitus. The issues of service connection are still under consideration.