Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, sleep apnea, carpal tunnel syndrome, memory loss, and acid reflux disease.

The Veteran's shell fragment wound to Muscle Group V of the left upper extremity is already rated at its maximum, and there is no evidence that warrants an increase in his disability evaluation. The Board also finds that he does not meet the criteria for TDIU prior to February 1, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing before a Member of the Board.

The Veteran's service-connected right CTS, status post carpal tunnel release with residual pain and mild weakness, has been rated as noncompensable from July 1, 2005 to September 13, 2006. From November 1, 2006, he is now rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's service connection claims for bilateral eye dryness, atypical chest pain, chronic congestive epididymitis (residual of vasectomy), rhinitis, asthma, hemorrhoids with rectal fissure, nephrolithiasis, residual scar from ganglion cystectomy, and residuals of cubital tunnel syndrome have been granted. The Veteran's service connection claims for increased ratings are denied.,The Veteran has a current disability manifested by bilateral eye dryness that is not considered a disability under VA compensation laws. His atypical chest pain was incurred in service and is considered a qualifying chronic disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, lung condition (to include pneumonia), chronic eye pain (both eyes and a history of horseshoe tear of left eye, status post-right eye laser repair), and chronic bone and body pain (bilateral shoulder pain; arm, neck, back, and wrist pain).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the legal criteria for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability as his combined percentage of disability does not reach 70% or more, and he is still employed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left little finger degenerative joint disease and left wrist fracture prior to May 22, 2012, as well as a rating in excess of 10 percent from that date, were denied.

The Board found that CTS of the right wrist was not incurred or aggravated in active service and denied the Veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board found that bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome did not manifest during service and was not caused by service duties, including extensive typing.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151, thus denying the reopening of his claim.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, as well as any SSA disability benefits records. The Veteran's bilateral wrist disorder claim will be reconsidered in light of the new evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess his ability to work due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board found no evidence of a current bilateral thumb disorder or carpal tunnel syndrome related to service and denied the Veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral tendonitis of the wrists and hands, plantar calcaneal spur of the left foot (secondary to lumbar spine disability), increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, DDD of the lumbar spine, and peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities. The TDIU claim was also denied as the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, tinnitus, and bilateral flat feet. The claim for a left ankle disability was withdrawn by the Veteran during his hearing on appeal. The claim for a left wrist disability was also withdrawn.

The Board found that the Veteran's discharge was dishonorable due to willful and persistent misconduct, which bars VA benefits. The claims for service connection for left ankle disability, flat feet, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and PTSD were all denied as they are not related to active service.

The Veteran's right carpal tunnel syndrome was rated at 10 percent prior to September 10, 2010 and increased to 20 percent on or after that date.,His left carpal tunnel syndrome was not found to warrant a higher rating.

The Board found that the Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome and back disability did not manifest in service or are otherwise related to her military service, thus denying her claims for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been rated appropriately, with no need for higher ratings.