Wrist & hand decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and providing an addendum opinion regarding his knee disabilities. A right wrist examination will also be conducted.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right wrist disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including atrial fibrillation, left ear hearing loss, low back disability, GERD, wrist and shoulder disabilities, and vertigo have been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities or a link to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a sinus disorder and chronic disability manifested by left arm pain, finding that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated in service. The claim for an increased rating for asthma was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee and left wrist disorders are being remanded due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all outstanding records, provide the Veteran with adequate VA medical opinions, and readjudicate the claims.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection of bilateral knee disability, right wrist disability, DDD of the cervical spine, and right 5th finger disability. The evidence received since the July 1997 rating decision is new and material, raising a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Veteran withdrew the appeal for all issues related to right knee, lumbar spine, residuals of right wrist fracture, and left knee disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine proper disability ratings and service connection.

The Veteran's right ankle disorder, sinus disorder (including sinusitis), heart disorder, diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, eye disorder, skin disorder of the feet, upper extremities disorder (manifested by swelling, pain in joints, cramping, and tightness), bilateral or unilateral wrist disorder, disorder of bilateral or unilateral hands and fingers, and hearing loss are all granted as they were incurred in service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's right carpal tunnel syndrome is rated at 30 percent, the highest available rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining private and VA treatment records, scheduling the Veteran for a VA spine examination, and providing an additional VA examination of the knees, right wrist, and left hand.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the request of the appellant.

The Board finds that the Veteran's cervical spine disability is not service-connected, as there is no evidence of a current disability related to her service or a service-connected condition. The Veteran's neck symptoms are more likely due to her carpal tunnel syndrome and other unrelated conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient development of evidence, specifically for obtaining service treatment records from Ireland Army Medical Center in Fort Knox, KY. The Veteran's claim is pending and will be reconsidered after this additional information is obtained.

The Board found that the Veteran's low back, left wrist, and left collarbone disabilities are not related to his service-connected knee disorders. The evidence did not support a finding of continuity of symptomatology or direct service connection.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current right wrist/hand arthritis did not have its onset in service and is not related to his service-connected conditions. As a result, the claim for service connection for arthritis of the right hand/wrist is denied.

The Board denied service connection for fractures of the left arm and right hand/wrist, as well as venous insufficiency. The evidence did not show a direct link between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's claimed generalized joint and muscle pain has been attributed to known clinical diagnoses, and is not related to undiagnosed illness or other qualifying chronic disability. The Board finds that service connection cannot be granted as the symptoms are not due to an undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained multisymptom illness.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected right wrist disability does not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, given his educational background, work experience, and current employment status.