Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the claims of service connection for sleep apnea and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for his right wrist condition, finding that it is due to an undiagnosed illness and not related to any known clinical diagnosis.

The Veteran is granted service connection for a right wrist disorder of sclerosis of the scaphoid, bilateral foot disorders (DJD and hallux rigidus), obstructive sleep apnea, and IBS as due to a qualifying chronic disability.,Reasoning: The evidence shows that the Veteran experienced symptoms during service and has current diagnoses related to these conditions. The criteria for presumptive service connection are met.

The Veteran was granted service connection for left wrist degenerative joint disease and assigned a 10 percent rating, effective March 8, 2007.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current low back and right wrist disorders are not related to his service, including National Guard service. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining complete VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for appropriate VA examinations to assess the current severity of his disabilities. The Veteran must also be scheduled for a new examination before service connection can be decided on the merits for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left hand and a disorder of the index finger of the left hand, diagnosed as trigger finger. The VA examiner found that these conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran's left wrist DJD was granted an increased rating to 20 percent effective March 22, 2004. The earlier stage of the increased rating (prior to March 22, 2004) remains in appellate status.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable due to his inability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board found that the Veteran's right wrist disability does not meet or approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent. The Veteran is service-connected for carpal tunnel syndrome, lumbosacral strain, and bilateral hearing loss, but his combined rating is only 60%. His service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed elbow, wrist, and neck conditions. The claims are being remanded for further action.

The Veteran's claim for a right shoulder disability is reopened, and he is granted a 10% rating for his left wrist disability since April 24, 2007. The Board also grants the Veteran TDIU based on service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Veteran's right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome was evaluated at a 10 percent rating prior to October 5, 2016. After this date, the disability was rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including an audiologist opinion to assess the impact of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to function in a work setting.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected fragment wounds to the left forearm and elbow is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he requested the withdrawal of his appeal in its entirety.

The Board denied service connection for peptic ulcers, thoracolumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and headaches. The decision also found that the Veteran's combined service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are service-connected based on continuity of symptomatology since service. The other issues have been remanded for further action.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing before the Board. The issues on appeal include service connection for postoperative residuals of right and left inguinal herniorrhaphies, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and variously diagnosed psychiatric disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and provide addendum opinions regarding the etiology of his hearing loss, left hand/wrist injury residuals, and diabetes mellitus. The claims will be readjudicated after these actions.