Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's request for a hearing has been noted, and the case is being remanded to schedule a videoconference hearing at the earliest opportunity.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected scars do not warrant a higher disability rating based on their current size, nature (superficial), and symptoms (no pain or instability).

The Veteran's appeal for the reduction of evaluations for various service-connected conditions has been withdrawn.

The Veteran's GERD is found to be related to active duty service and granted. The claims for left CTS, right CTS, and residuals of a vasectomy are denied as there is no evidence of current chronic disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including new VA examinations of his service connected left knee and low back disabilities, as well as a VA examination of his bilateral wrist disabilities. The Veteran will also be scheduled for a VA examination to determine if his right knee disability was caused or aggravated by his service-connected left knee disability.

The Veteran's bilateral wrist condition, diagnosed as CTS, is not service-connected.,There is no evidence of a current back disability related to the Veteran's active service.,The Veteran's COPD is not service-connected.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a right wrist disability, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder. The claim for hypertension was not addressed as it is not related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected left wrist disability, including associated nerve involvement, warrants a compensable initial rating of 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new examination to determine the current severity of his bilateral hearing loss and an opinion on whether there is at least a 50% probability that his left shoulder and wrist disorders are causally related to active service. The case will also be referred to the Under Secretary for Benefits or the Director, Compensation Service for consideration of a compensable rating for the hearing loss on an extraschedular basis.

The appeal is dismissed as the Veteran has already received the benefit sought in this appeal, as a 20 percent rating for left carpal tunnel syndrome was in effect prior to May 1, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for pulmonary nodule was withdrawn prior to the Board making a decision. The case is being remanded for an additional VA examination of his right wrist disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's de Quervain's tenosynovitis of both right and left wrists is at least as likely as not related to his military service, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board finds that service connection for a left wrist sprain is granted.,Regarding the right wrist and knee disabilities, the Veteran's claim will be remanded to obtain an examination and medical nexus opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's current right wrist disability, diagnosed as de Quervain's tenosynovitis, is considered to be at least as likely as not related to an in-service injury. The Board has therefore granted service connection for the right wrist disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of his left shoulder, elbow and wrist conditions are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine their etiology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left little finger arthritis and left wrist/hand disabilities are not related to service, and therefore denied his claims for service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for right wrist strain and right ankle strain have been granted. The claim for PTSD with anxiety disorder and depressive disorders has also been granted, but the Veteran is seeking a higher initial rating of 100 percent. The claim for lumbar strain remains denied. Other issues such as evaluations for other conditions like degenerative joint disease, tendonitis, and patellofemoral pain syndrome have all been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a scheduling issue for a videoconference hearing. The issues of service connection and rating for knee disabilities are pending.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left wrist disorder and broken left pinky finger are not service-connected as they did not occur during his military service or within one year of discharge.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right wrist disability is being remanded to obtain outstanding treatment records and a VA examination. The AOJ will also consider whether separate ratings are warranted under Diagnostic Codes referable to nerve or muscle impairment.