Wrist & hand decisions — 2015

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the current extent and severity of his service-connected right wrist disability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for left groin pain and right wrist disability, finding that these conditions are related to her active duty in the Southwest Asia theater of operations during the Persian Gulf War. The effective date is not specified as no specific effective date was provided.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate examination and a need for clarification on whether left carpal tunnel syndrome is caused or aggravated by service-connected right wrist disability.

The Veteran's bilateral wrist strain and cyst on the right wrist are not related to service or a previously service-connected disability, thus denying her claims for service connection.

The Board finds that further development is required before the claim of entitlement for service connection for a bilateral hand disability other than carpal tunnel syndrome can be adjudicated. The case must be remanded for another VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to outstanding medical records and incomplete VA examinations. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a cervical spine disorder and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, which she alleges are related to her military service.

The Board has determined that it is at least as likely as not that the Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of both wrists was incurred in service, and grants service connection for each.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a concussion, carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand, and cervical spine disability. The Veteran's right shoulder disability was rated at 20 percent until March 13, 2013, when it was increased to 40 percent. The Board also denied ratings in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's right upper extremity radiculopathy, and denied compensable ratings for his scars and occipital neuralgia.

The Veteran was granted TDIU as of November 1, 2009, due to his service-connected disabilities preventing him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has granted service connection for TMJ, bilateral foot disorder (plantar fasciitis and pes cavus), and bilateral eye disability. The Veteran's skin condition is not related to her in-service conditions or service. Service connection was denied for sleep apnea, carpal tunnel syndrome, and a skin disorder.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension, erectile dysfunction, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral hand disorder have all been denied. Service connection has been granted for diabetes mellitus with initial ratings of 20%.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as his claims for service connection for hemorrhoids and initial compensable ratings for right wrist DJD and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss were not granted. The Veteran is still considered to have these conditions, but he does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA's Schedule for Rating Disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including psychiatric disorders, hypertension, tinnitus, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, left hip disability, right knee and left knee disabilities, right ankle and left ankle disabilities, left heel disability, and left shoulder disability were denied as the evidence did not support a nexus to service.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and examination, including obtaining medical records and determining whether any current right wrist or shoulder disabilities are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for right ankle, right foot, bilateral knee, and bilateral wrist disabilities due to lack of clear and unmistakable error in the January 2015 decision.

The Veteran's osteoporosis of the right wrist is rated at 10 percent, and no new issues related to service connection or exposure have been raised.

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected multilevel mild degenerative discogenic change of the thoracolumbar spine.,Service connection is also granted for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist, but the appeal was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's death was not caused by any of his service-connected conditions, and the Board finds that the appellant does not have competent medical evidence to support her claim. As a result, she is not entitled to burial benefits based on the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim of service connection for a condition manifested as chronic pain of multiple joints, including the wrists, shoulders, back, and neck. The Veteran's claims are now considered on their merits.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased ratings, and SMC have been denied. The Board found no evidence of compensable disability for the claimed conditions.