Wrist & hand decisions — 2017

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, colon cancer, an eye disability (presumably a pre-existing condition), hemorrhoids, non-allergic rhinitis, and knee disabilities. The Board also found that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claim of service connection for right leg varicose veins, chronic venous embolism, or deep vein thrombosis. Service connection has been granted for non-allergic rhinitis due to a service-connected deviated septum.

The Veteran's PTSD is found to be etiologically related to her active duty service, and the Board grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's cervical spine and left wrist disabilities are being remanded for additional examination to assess the current severity of his conditions, as there is evidence of potential worsening.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly consider the merits of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining relevant medical records and determining the exact dates of her service.

The Board denied initial compensable ratings for various scars, finding that they did not meet the criteria under applicable VA rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left wrist and low back disabilities were not incurred or aggravated by service, nor are they proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected right ankle or right knee disabilities. The evidence does not support a finding of service connection for these conditions.

The case is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions on the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions and reviewing new evidence.

The Board finds that the Veteran's bilateral wrist disability, including carpal tunnel syndrome, is related to service and grants service connection for this condition.,Service connection is granted for a bilateral wrist disability (carpal tunnel syndrome) as secondary to herbicide exposure. However, there is no evidence of a lower extremity disability due to service or herbicide exposure.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for additional development, including arranging for a VA examination by an orthopedist and determining whether separate ratings are warranted for wrist instability.

The Veteran's service connection claim for restless leg syndrome is granted, as the evidence supports a finding that it began in service and has continued since.,Service connection for hypertension is denied, as there is no diagnosis of hypertension during or after service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claim of right shoulder disability, but left knee arthritis is service connected. The Veteran's right knee disabilities are rated based on limitation of motion.

The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for diabetes was denied. The evidence received since the October 2006 decision did not relate to injury or disease in service or a nexus between post-service disability and service.,The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depression) was denied. The evidence received since the October 2006 decision did not relate to injury or disease in service or a nexus between post-service disability and service.,The Veteran's application to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for tinnitus was granted. The evidence received since February 2009 addressed the unestablished fact of a current disability, which is new and material.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not preclude him from securing and following all forms of substantially gainful employment that are consistent with his education and occupational experience prior to July 26, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including severe osteoarthritis in his knees and degenerative joint disease of the spine, have rendered him unable to dress, feed himself, or perform daily activities without significant assistance. The Board finds that he meets the criteria for SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance from another person.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disability and left wrist disability have been granted service connection, with the effective date for the left wrist disability being February 27, 1988.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development, including a VA examination and obtaining additional treatment records. The Veteran's right wrist fracture pre-existed service but may have been aggravated by active duty service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current left wrist disability, including degenerative joint disease and positive ulnar variance, is related to his in-service motorcycle accident. As a result, service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's cervical radiculitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and restless leg syndrome were not incurred in or aggravated by service. The Board denied service connection for these conditions as they are considered secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's back disability, including degenerative disc disease and degenerative joint disease, is at least as likely as not etiologically related to the Veteran's active service. The Board finds that the criteria for service connection are met.

The Veteran's musculocutaneous nerve entrapment with carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity is currently rated at 50 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 8515. The Board finds that this rating adequately reflects the severity and symptoms of his disability.