Wrist & hand decisions — 2015

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Veteran seeks service connection for a left wrist disorder. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to properly adjudicate his claim, including obtaining an examination and considering the lay statements from family members.

The Veteran's increased rating for post-operative carpal tunnel release of the right hand was granted effective November 12, 2012.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left hand disorder and lumbar spine disorder were not incurred or aggravated by her active duty service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's Graves disease and to obtain a proper opinion regarding her right wrist condition. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation in excess of 30 percent for his right wrist disability was denied as the evidence did not support a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the right wrist. The issues of diabetes mellitus and hypertension are still pending as they were not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing before a Veterans Law Judge at his current address of record. The issues include service connection and rating claims for various conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and to schedule a hearing. The Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disability, cervical spine disability, and carpal tunnel syndrome are still pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's left carpal tunnel syndrome is secondary to his service-connected right arm disabilities and whether it is aggravated by those disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder disorder and left wrist fracture, status post distal radius osteotomy have been denied as there is no evidence to support a direct relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have current diagnoses of bilateral hand arthritis or bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions. The claim for right shoulder tendonitis is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is not related to service or a service-connected disability, and therefore denied his claim for service connection. The PTSD issue remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of his service connection claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and a TBI examination. His initial rating claim for a right little finger disability and TDIU are also being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left hand. The claim for an initial increased rating for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand with involvement of the median nerve is pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed as he withdrew his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU). The case is now limited to the issue of an increased evaluation for service-connected residuals of left wrist fracture.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are denied due to his own willful misconduct in the motor vehicle accident of April [redacted], 1975. The Board found that none of the conditions claimed were related to active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left hand carpal tunnel syndromes were incurred during service, warranting service connection.

The Board has remanded the case for scheduling a BVA hearing. The Veteran's appeal includes claims for various conditions and whether new evidence supports reopening of his left wrist condition claim.

The Board has remanded the claims due to incomplete records and conflicting medical opinions. The Veteran's service connection claims for low back, bilateral knee, bilateral wrist, and headache disabilities are being reviewed with additional development.