Wrist & hand decisions — 2014

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as the appellant has withdrawn all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of right thumb and right wrist disabilities is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including verification of periods of active duty for training (ADT) and inactive duty for training (IADT), obtaining updated VA treatment records, and providing the Veteran with a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed cervical conditions, skin rash, and radiculopathy.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including low back and bilateral hip conditions, were not incurred or aggravated during his active military service. The evidence does not establish a nexus between these conditions and any in-service injury or event.

The Veteran's appeal involves claims for increased ratings and service connection, with the majority of issues remanded for further examination and opinion. The primary focus is on sleep apnea and its relationship to other conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for left and right carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as her claim for a compensable rating for sinusitis, were denied by the Board. The evidence did not support higher disability ratings.,The Veteran was found to have moderate incomplete paralysis of the left median nerve and mild incomplete paralysis of the right median nerve, which do not warrant ratings in excess of 20 percent or 10 percent, respectively. Her sinusitis has been noted as asymptomatic during the appeal period.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations for migraine headaches, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and left carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for a left wrist disorder, finding that the evidence submitted was not new and material. The claims for respiratory disorder (sarcoidosis), right hip disorder, left shoulder disorder, fibromyalgia, and right ankle disorder were also denied.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and an increased rating for PTSD are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to his failure to appear at a previously scheduled videoconference hearing. The case will be rescheduled for a new hearing.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling new VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the wrists, elbows, and hands. The evidence did not show an in-service incurrence or a relationship to service-connected conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for additional development due to incomplete medical records and the need for a supplemental medical opinion regarding the etiology of his left hand condition.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection were denied. His bicipital tendinitis of the right shoulder was rated at 10 percent, but he did not meet criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes. Service connection for bilateral knee disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, and residuals of left wrist growth could not be established.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a nasal fracture are currently rated at 50 percent, effective August 22, 2000. The Board finds that the evidence does not support an increase in his disability rating beyond this level.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his sleep apnea, bilateral hand disorder, and bilateral wrist disorder.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a VA examination. The issues of service connection for PTSD, aortic insufficiency, increased ratings for left elbow and right wrist disabilities are also being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing at the RO in Roanoke, Virginia. The issues of service connection and evaluation remain unresolved.

The Veteran's service-connected idiopathic brachioplexopathy of the left shoulder is currently rated at 10 percent, and his appeal for a higher rating has been denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hand disorders, including arthritis and other conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, and trigger finger, were not incurred in or aggravated by active military service. The VA examiner concluded that these conditions are less likely related to the Veteran's time in service.