Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim to reopen her service connection for arthritis of the right upper extremity. The remaining issues, including service connection for a menstrual disorder and nonservice-connected pension benefits, are REMANDED for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus, carpal tunnel syndrome and peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities do not meet or nearly approximate the criteria for a rating in excess of 20 percent. The Veteran does not have functional impairment to the extent necessary to warrant a separate compensable rating for erectile dysfunction and peripheral neuropathy of the groin.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that there was no direct evidence linking it to his active military service. The Board also found against secondary service connection due to aggravation by other service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities cause the need for aid and attendance, which has been granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her right wrist fracture is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including an updated VA examination.

The Veteran's bilateral upper extremity disability is not considered a qualifying additional disability due to the November 10, 2009 hip surgery. The Board finds that there is no evidence of causation or fault on part of VA.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected left wrist disability was granted, with an effective date of August 22, 2009. The current rating is 20 percent for avascular necrosis of carpal bones from January 5, 2015.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis of multiple joints, including the left hand, left wrist, bilateral hips, bilateral ankles, and bilateral feet.,The Board also denied service connection for right great toe gout and left great toe gout. The Board found that these conditions did not manifest within one year of discharge from service or were not related to service.

The Board found that the Veteran's left upper extremity nerve disability (carpal tunnel syndrome) is not service connected, as it was not shown to be directly related to his service-connected left shoulder disability. The Board also found no evidence of a neck disability in service or for many years thereafter.

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial rating for a right wrist condition, earlier effective date for service connection of a right wrist condition, and service connection for hepatitis and major depressive disorder have been granted. The right wrist condition is rated at 10 percent disabling since October 29, 2012.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected left wrist disability and consideration of extraschedular rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to address whether the Veteran's arthritis of multiple joints is related to his service-connected disabilities, specifically his right shoulder, left ankle, back, or knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that his combined disability rating of at least 70 percent with one disability rated at least 40 percent is sufficient to grant TDIU.

The Veteran's tinnitus is presumed to have been incurred in service due to noise exposure during deployment.,Regarding the left carpal tunnel syndrome and numbness, the appeal remains pending as additional evidence and medical opinions are needed. The Veteran has not provided sufficient evidence or credible testimony to establish a direct link between his current condition and military service.

The Board finds that the Veteran's left tibia fracture, status post pinning is not service-connected as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his active duty service or to his service-connected left ulnar neuropathy. The right elbow condition and carpal tunnel syndromes are also not service-connected.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a lack of consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding his right wrist ganglion cyst and its progression during service.

The Board found that the Veteran's right and left carpal tunnel syndromes were not incurred during service or related to any service-connected condition, thus denying her claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's Cesarean section scar, right wrist condition, and irritable bowel syndrome with constipation are not service-connected due to lack of in-service incurrence or aggravation.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records from October 1957 to December 1957 and requesting SGO records related to the Veteran's service.

The Board finds that the evidence is in relative equipoise as to whether the Veteran's right and left carpal tunnel syndrome/median nerve disabilities were incurred as a result of his duties during active service, warranting service connection.