Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including recurrent left shoulder dislocation, right ankle fracture, osteoarthritis of the left knee and right knee, carpal tunnel syndrome of the left hand, and hearing loss, preclude him from obtaining and maintaining all forms of substantially gainful employment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right calcaneal spur, and gout of the right great toe and left wrist due to lack of current disability or evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU prior to August 15, 2000. The RO granted a TDIU effective from August 15, 2000, based on his combined disability rating of 70 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's post-operative residuals of carpal tunnel syndrome of the right and left wrists were not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The VA examiner found that the Veteran's current right carpal tunnel syndrome is not related to his service, as it was less likely than not caused by cumulative trauma from repetitive activities during service. The Board therefore denied the claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current skin condition, including hyperpigmentation, skin cancer, and bilateral hand/wrist arthritis, is related to his in-service burn injury. As such, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and a right wrist disability, do not render him unemployable as he is capable of performing substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including obtaining medical records and a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current acquired psychiatric disorder or left wrist disability related to his military service. The evidence shows no in-service injury, and post-service treatment records do not show any link between the claimed conditions and service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, as well as an addendum to the previous VA examination report. The Veteran's claim of service connection for arthritis will be reconsidered.

The Veteran does not have a current respiratory disorder or blood disorder.,Bilateral hand disorder is service-connected as it was incurred during active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including new examinations and issuance of a statement of the case addressing service connection issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's sleep apnea is not related to service and therefore denied his claim for service connection. The other conditions listed were also found not to be related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lyme disease, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, angioedema, and a kidney condition. The Veteran is not eligible for special monthly pension based on aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to obtain treatment records and determine the nature, severity, and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions. The appeal will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his left wrist disability have been denied by the RO/AMC. The VA has not provided a rating in excess of 10 percent for the period from January 1, 2007 through December 3, 2008 and has continued to deny the claim for a rating in excess of 30 percent since February 1, 2009.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his active duty service, and he is granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a need for another VA opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's knee, wrist, and foot disorders.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities. The case will be readjudicated after these actions.