Wrist & hand decisions — 2017

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a videoconference hearing. The issues on appeal are related to service connection for various conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of his right wrist condition and service connection for a psychiatric disability to include PTSD and depressive disorder have been denied. The Board found that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of the Veteran's conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for bony protuberance at the base of second metacarpal was denied. His claim for service connection for right wrist disability is pending and will be remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected left posterior thigh lipoma was granted a 10 percent disability rating effective March 10, 2011. The claim for higher ratings for the other conditions remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left wrist fracture is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his right wrist disability.

The Board has granted service connection for left hand carpal tunnel syndrome as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected post kidney transplant glomerulonephritis. Service connection was denied for a low back disability, with the examiner opining that dialysis did not cause or aggravate the condition.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and carpal tunnel syndrome are currently rated at their maximum levels.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet or approximate criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in the loss of use of both lower extremities, such as to preclude locomotion without the aid of braces, crutches, canes, or a wheelchair. Therefore, she is entitled to specially adapted housing but not special home adaptations.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral wrist disability, not including trigger finger (which includes carpal tunnel syndrome), and obstructive sleep apnea is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right wrist, left shoulder, and right shoulder disorders are not related to service.,Service treatment records do not show any complaints or treatment for these conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current back and wrist disabilities are not related to his active duty service. The evidence does not establish a current diagnosis of benign prostatic hypertrophy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have not prevented him from maintaining full-time employment during the entire appeal period.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been presented to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a right wrist disability. The Veteran's current right wrist disability may be related to his service, including an in-service fall aboard a ship.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to the AOJ for further development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling new examinations. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for his service-connected right wrist fracture and lower back strain will be addressed.

The Veteran withdrew all issues on appeal prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for traumatic arthritis of the left wrist is being remanded due to inadequate examination reports and the need for updated imaging studies.

The Board has remanded the case for an addendum VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome was aggravated by his service-connected right shoulder disability, and to address the contention that his right hand disability may be service-connected under a direct theory of entitlement.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been granted, with the left carpal tunnel syndrome receiving a separate rating of 20 percent effective February 1, 2017. The other conditions remain at their current assigned ratings.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for right wrist tendonitis and granted it, finding that there is at least equipoise evidence in favor of a current disability and service connection.