Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's sinusitis has been rated at 30 percent since December 8, 2006. The Board also granted a TDIU effective from December 8, 2006, based on the combined impact of multiple service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to missing medical records from Dr. Gore of Carolina Spine and Pain Rehab and Gastonia Memorial Hospital.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a bilateral wrist disability were denied. The lumbar spine disability was granted with an initial rating of 20 percent, effective August 1, 2009. The left lower extremity radiculopathy claim resulted in no change to the existing 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's right and left carpal tunnel syndrome prior to April 10, 2009 was found to more nearly approximate mild incomplete paralysis of the lower radicular group nerves.

The Board denied compensable evaluations for scars of the right forearm and wrist, finding that the Veteran's service-connected scars did not meet criteria for a higher rating due to lack of tenderness or instability. The same was true for his scars of the right shoulder and upper arm.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and reasoning in the previous decision, requiring a new VA examination to determine if there is an etiological link between the Veteran's service and his current right wrist and low back disabilities for purposes of establishing direct service connection under 38 C.F.R. § 3.303(d).

The Veteran was not found to be unemployable due to service-connected disabilities prior to November 13, 2006. His TDIU claim is therefore denied for an earlier effective date.

The Veteran's service-connected right wrist ganglion cyst with residual scar does not warrant a compensable rating as it is currently asymptomatic and does not cause significant functional impairment.

The Veteran's right hip osteophytes, left hip strain, and right hand carpal tunnel syndrome resulted in pain throughout the appeal period.,A 10 percent rating was granted for each condition from October 27, 2009.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current neck disability is not related to service or a service-connected disability, but his right upper extremity neurological disorder (carpal tunnel syndrome) is secondary to his service-connected residuals of the right hand and wrist injury.

The Veteran's left-hand (non-dominant) dorso-ulnar sensory cutaneous neuropathy and shell fragment wound of the left hand, wrist, and forearm Muscle Group IX and VIII have been granted increased ratings. The Veteran is now rated at 30 percent for his left-hand (non-dominant) condition and 20 percent for his shell fragment wound.

The Veteran's lumbar and neck conditions have been granted service connection.,Increased ratings for CTS in both upper extremities are granted, with the right hand receiving a 30 percent rating effective February 18, 2016, and the left hand receiving a 20 percent rating from that date forward. The Veteran's loss of sense of taste is now rated as compensable.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been increased to 10 percent disabling since April 13, 2011.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU is being remanded due to the need for an updated VA examination and opinion regarding her employability, as well as obtaining recent VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right wrist disability, to include chronic wrist sprain and strain, was not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of left shoulder, left wrist, or right wrist disabilities. The evidence does not support service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's hypertension and right hand CTS were not incurred in or aggravated by service, as there is no evidence of such during his active duty. The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the claims for service connection.

The Board has decided to remand this case for further examination and opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity.

The Veteran's left wrist sprain is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has found that her symptoms do not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's combined disability rating has been consistently at 80 percent since March 9, 2006. The Board finds that the criteria for a higher rating have not been met.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current left wrist condition is not related to any event or injury during service, and thus does not meet the criteria for service connection.