Wrist & hand decisions — 2016

The Board has granted service connection for lumbosacral degenerative disc disease and bilateral L5-S1 radiculopathy, but denied service connection for cervical spine muscle spasms, left upper extremity radiculopathy, carpal tunnel syndrome, osteoarthritis, ischemic heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right wrist disorder and a left hand disability due to lack of evidence showing a link between these conditions and his active military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his service and have denied both claims.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including Anxiety Disorder, NOS with subclinical features of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder and Generalized Anxiety, and Depressive Disorder, NOS, is found to be service-connected. The Board also finds that the Veteran has current diagnoses for his back, wrists, and shoulders conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right wrist disability, including reconciling medical records showing various diagnoses. The Veteran is also asked to provide any outstanding treatment records from September 2016.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his right wrist disability. The claims of service connection for bilateral shoulder pain, mild degenerative facet joints with chronic low back strain, and bilateral knee strain are pending.

The Veteran's right wrist disability, rated at 40 percent since November 15, 2010, is now rated at 50 percent effective July 1, 2014. The Veteran's right upper extremity loss of use claim remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to incorrect contact information and scheduling issues for previously scheduled VA examinations and a videoconference hearing.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hand carpal tunnel syndrome and for increased ratings for her right and left foot calcaneal spurs, as well as for bilateral plantar fasciitis. The Veteran's knee disabilities are also not rated higher.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left median demyelinating sensory neuropathy of the wrist and elbow, carpal tunnel syndrome, and causalgia is being remanded due to inadequate examination and incomplete medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected left elbow fragment tip is rated at 10 percent. Service connection for his left shoulder condition, bilateral eye conditions, hearing loss, hypertension, and lipomas are granted. The acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD, depression, and anxiety) is also granted.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of his May 2009 VA examination. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining and retaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that further development is required to determine the etiology of the Veteran's current wrist, knee, and low back disorders. The case is REMANDED for additional development.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to a lack of consideration of diagnostic codes other than Diagnostic Code 8515 prior to April 10, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination to assess the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities on his employability and associating all outstanding VA treatment records with the claims file.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left wrist disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and obtaining relevant medical records.

The Veteran's left knee patellofemoral syndrome and patellofemoral chondromalacia, as well as his right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, were found to have their onset during service. The Board granted the Veteran's claims for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including additional VA examinations and opinions regarding the severity of his left wrist disability and its impact on his ability to work. The case may also be referred to determine if an extraschedular rating is warranted.