Wrist & hand decisions — 2017

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence, including a diagnosis of major depressive disorder during service and MRI results indicating brain abnormalities. The issues of service connection for various conditions are now considered on their merits.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a palpable thyroid disorder. The effective date for PTSD service connection is set at May 20, 2013.,Service connection was established for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome based on evidence showing symptoms in-service and currently diagnosed with the condition.

The Board found that the Veteran's current neurological disability of the upper extremities did not have its onset in service, was not exhibited within the first post-service year, is not otherwise related to active duty, and is not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and to schedule new VA examinations for his right knee, right shoulder, and left wrist disorders.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left ankle, right wrist, left wrist, and right shoulder disabilities, as well as PTSD. The TDIU claim is being remanded to allow for further development.

The Veteran's right wrist condition is connected to service and the Board finds service connection warranted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder and irritable bowel syndrome, prevent her from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has decided to remand the case for further development regarding whether he underwent another surgery during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service treatment records and a need for further investigation into the Veteran's claimed injuries.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a left shoulder disorder, as well as his claims for increased evaluations of multiple shell fragment wound scars on various parts of the body, were granted. The effective date is February 24, 2000.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining SSA disability records and ensuring compliance with prior remand directives. The TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied as his current level of disability does not warrant an increase in the assigned rating.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed due to his failure to respond to VA requests for medical records and authorization forms, which resulted in the abandonment of these claims.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is found to be etiologically related to service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The left wrist fracture has been service connected, but the Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation remains pending.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected status post surgical removal of the uterus and both ovaries, sinusitis, and current residuals of an in-service fracture of the right wrist. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions have worsened during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. 1151 is being remanded due to the need for additional information regarding the surgery performed on his left wrist.

The Veteran's left wrist disability is manifested by limitation of motion and painful motion, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as it does not include malunion, nonunion, loss of bone substance, marked deformity, or ankylosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral elbow, wrist, hand, and ankle disabilities are at least as likely as not due to his active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral wrist arthritis is related to his service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition.