Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for a fracture of the right wrist and ventricular tachycardia were denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 10 percent for his right wrist disability, effective September 1, 2007.

The Board found no evidence linking the Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome or cervical spine disorder to her periods of active duty service. The preponderance of the evidence is against these claims.

The Board has granted service connection for right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome and found that the Veteran's current condition is related to active service. The claim of entitlement to an initial compensable rating for otitis media is remanded for issuance of a Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's service-connected left ankle fracture warrants a rating of 20 percent, effective from the date of the initial claim. The other issues were not granted.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 10 percent for his right wrist disorder.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the nature and likely etiology of any neurological disability of his left upper extremity, as well as the current severity of his service-connected left shoulder and right hand/wrist disabilities.

The Board has determined that service connection is not warranted for bilateral hearing loss as defined by VA standards. The Veteran's puretone thresholds have never met the criteria for a disability during this appeal period.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is necessary to determine the relationship between the Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and her service. The case is therefore being remanded for this purpose.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome and obesity did not manifest during service or are otherwise related to service, thus denying these claims.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate examinations in August 2014. The Veteran's claims of hearing loss, tinnitus, and right hand carpal tunnel syndrome are being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling the appellant for examinations to assess his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to the Veteran's request for a videoconference hearing, and it is unclear if he withdrew his request. The case will be scheduled for a hearing at the earliest available opportunity.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current diagnosed bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is not related to her military service and is not due to or aggravated by her service-connected cervical spine disability. Therefore, the claim for service connection for a bilateral upper extremity disorder is denied.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a left wrist disability and skin disability has been withdrawn. The Board has granted service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's initial rating for right wrist fracture with tendonitis has been granted at 10 percent, but no higher.,The Veteran's initial rating for status post right tibia fracture has been granted at 30 percent. No higher rating is warranted as the combined ratings do not exceed the maximum allowable for disabilities below the knee.

The Veteran's claims for knee, PTSD, and TBI were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for service connection in any of these cases.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a comprehensive VA internal medicine examination to determine the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities on his ability to work.

The Board found that the Veteran's claimed right ankle, left elbow, and bilateral wrist arthritis were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for low back, right knee, and right wrist conditions to the AOJ for further development. The Veteran is scheduled for a videoconference hearing before the Board.

The Board finds that the Veteran is not unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities and therefore, does not meet the criteria for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.