Wrist & hand decisions — 2017

The Veteran's asthma and right carpal tunnel syndrome were not shown to be related to his service, including as due to environmental exposures. The claim for increased rating for right carpal tunnel syndrome was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a new VA examination to determine if any diagnosed disorders are related to the Veteran's military service or Persian Gulf service.

The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosed bilateral leg, ankle, or wrist disability. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to the appellant requesting withdrawal of his claims for service connection and increased evaluations. The Veteran is entitled to a total disability evaluation based on need for aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum opinion considering the holding in Johnson v. McDonald, 762 F.3d 1362, 1365 (Fed. Cir. 2014).

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her unable to obtain and secure substantial gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to assess his current disability levels.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right hip disabilities, diagnosed as arthritis. The Veteran's right wrist disability is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation prior to January 2, 2008.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, hypertension, sleep apnea, left carpal tunnel syndrome, a neck disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected right carpal tunnel syndrome, tinnitus, and PTSD have rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his disabilities. The Board has granted a TDIU effective October 7, 2008.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his low back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left CTS were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right wrist disability, bilateral hips disability, and skin disease due to lack of evidence showing an in-service onset or incurrence.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeal for service connection for multiple conditions, including right wrist disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, aching joints, right carpal tunnel syndrome, muscle spasms of the legs, chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, and muscle spasms of the arms.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination to assess the severity of his right forearm disability and obtaining any outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he withdrew his claim for service connection of a bilateral ankle disability. The Board found that the Veteran does not have any diagnosed disabilities related to his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a right wrist injury was previously denied, but new evidence has been submitted raising the possibility that his current condition may be related to an in-service injury. The Board finds sufficient credible evidence to reopen the claim and also finds reasonable doubt in favor of service connection based on the medical opinions provided.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to his request for a videoconference hearing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for various disabilities, including a lumbar spine disorder, bilateral foot disorders, shoulder disorders, hand and finger disorders, and tinnitus, were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of continuity of symptomatology or a nexus to active duty.