Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability, and there is no evidence linking his current condition to service. The most probative medical opinion indicates that any current right wrist disability did not develop as a result of service.,There is insufficient evidence to diagnose a current right wrist disability, and the VA examiner opined that any such disability is less likely related to service.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to evaluate the Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, which is currently being remanded for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's left wrist disability has been rated at 10 percent since October 25, 2009. The VA determined that the condition does not warrant a higher rating as it did not result in ankylosis or significant limitation of motion.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for service connection claims and initial disability rating claims. The Board found no evidence of a current left shoulder disorder, and the issues concerning bilateral hand disorders, left wrist disorders, mechanical low back pain with mild joint facet arthropathy, postoperative residuals of a fracture of the right wrist, right wrist surgical scar, and left ankle sprain were not addressed due to lack of service connection claims. The Veteran's appeal is denied.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, but the Board found that a higher rating is not warranted due to limitation of motion above shoulder level.,Similarly, the Veteran's left shoulder disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling and the Board determined no higher rating was warranted based on similar findings of limited motion above shoulder level. ,The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist is currently rated at 10 percent due to mild incomplete paralysis of the median nerve, but the Board found that a higher rating is not warranted as it does not result in moderate or severe incomplete paralysis.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude her from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to May 6, 2014.

The Board found that the Veteran's diagnosed peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities and carpal tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity are not related to his period of military service, including his presumed exposure to Agent Orange.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hip, right ankle, and left wrist disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or an undiagnosed illness.

The Veteran's postoperative carpal tunnel release, right hand is rated at a 10 percent disability rating since the onset of his claim. The Board has determined that he is entitled to this rating throughout the entire period of the claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a grant of service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, and his lumbar spine disability was rated as 20 percent disabling based on painful limitation of motion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased rating for hypertension and entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea, as well as his claims for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome of the wrists and right and left knee disorders. The AOJ is instructed to schedule a hearing before a Veterans Law Judge and obtain relevant medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right wrist disability and therefore cannot establish service connection for this condition.

The Board is remanding the case to determine if referral for an extraschedular evaluation under 38 C.F.R. � 3.321(b) is warranted for the Veteran's service-connected right wrist arthritis based on its impact on his disability picture and whether it renders the current schedular rating inadequate.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral wrist disability, specifically left and right wrist scapholunate ligament injuries post arthroscopy, does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent throughout the period on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to assess the current severity of her service-connected right wrist disability and obtaining updated medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities make him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board finds that he meets the schedular requirements for a TDIU.

The Veteran is entitled to VA nonservice-connected pension benefits from April 1, 2008 due to his inability to secure and follow substantially gainful employment by reasons of his disabilities.

The Board found that a disability of the right upper extremity, including right carpal tunnel syndrome, was not incurred or caused by an in-service injury, event, or illness and was not permanently worsened as a result of a service-connected disability. The preponderance of evidence does not support the claim.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unable to care for herself without requiring the regular aid and attendance of another person.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection of left knee disability and granted it. The Veteran's current left knee disability is found to be related to parachute jumps during service, resolving doubt in his favor. For the left wrist disability, the Board finds that the fracture documented in service was likely causally significant, granting service connection.