The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for left wrist fracture residuals with DJD has been denied. The Veteran does not have ankylosis, which would warrant a higher rating.,Prior to June 20, 2017, the Veteran's service-connected left CTS was rated at 10 percent based on mild incomplete paralysis of the median nerve. As of June 20, 2017, the condition has been rated as severe incomplete paralysis due to symptoms such as loss of reflexes and muscle atrophy.,The Veteran's residual linear and nonlinear scars have not met the criteria for a compensable rating based on pain or instability.

The deciding factor: Service connection cannot be established because there is no evidence of current bilateral hearing loss disability, defined by VA regulations. The Veteran does not meet the threshold levels set forth in 38 C.F.R. § 3.385.,Tinnitus was denied as it did not originate during service or within one year following separation from service and is not otherwise etiologically related to active duty service.,Left wrist DJD has been rated at 10 percent based on limitation of motion, with no evidence of ankylosis. The Veteran's current condition does not warrant a higher rating as it does not result in loss of function or impairment of use.,The Veteran's left CTS was initially granted service connection and rated at 10 percent prior to June 20, 2017. As of that date, the condition has been rated as severe incomplete paralysis based on symptoms such as reflexes loss and muscle atrophy. The current rating is appropriate given the severity of the Veteran's condition.,The Veteran's scars have not met the criteria for a compensable rating due to lack of pain or instability.

Claimed conditions

Bilateral Hearing Loss, Tinnitus, Left Wrist Fracture Residuals with DJD (DJD), Left CTS from November 21, 2016 to December 4, 2016 and February 1, 2017 to June 20, 2017, Left CTS as of June 20, 2017, Residual Linear Surgical Scar, Left Wrist, Residual Nonlinear Surgical Scar, Left Wrist

How they argued it

Direct service connection

Exposure basis

None

Rating

Not verified here — check the original decision

Decision date

July 1, 2020

Citation

20044346

This is a plain-language summary generated by AI from a public Board of Veterans’ Appeals decision. It can contain errors — always verify against the original. Read the original VA decision (opens in a new tab) using citation 20044346.