Wrist & hand decisions — 2018

The Board has granted service connection for left wrist strain, lumbosacral strain, left knee strain, sinusitis, tension headaches and migraine headaches, and irritable bowel syndrome. The Veteran's current diagnoses are consistent with his reported symptoms in service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the issues of entitlement to service connection for a left shoulder disorder, right wrist disorder, lower back disorder, blurry vision, and tinnitus. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left wrist disorder, right wrist disorder, and allergic rhinitis due to incomplete STRs. The AOJ will obtain missing records and provide an opportunity for the Veteran to submit any additional records in her possession.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary before proceeding with the adjudication of the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, as well as Social Security Administration records.

The Board has determined that the reductions in evaluations for left knee laxity and strain were not proper, and has restored the original 10 percent ratings. The case is remanded to obtain an examination for carpal tunnel syndrome and toe disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for nose bleeds, heart disability, sleep apnea, right shoulder disability, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral wrist disability due to insufficient development of evidence. The Veteran's service records do not show any complaints or treatment related to these conditions during his military service.

The Board has remanded several issues including service connection for hypertension, the severance of service connection for lower extremity radiculopathy, and evaluations for wrist and knee conditions. Additional Social Security Administration records are needed to support these appeals.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to inconsistencies in the medical evidence and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's appeals for fibromyalgia, bilateral neurological disability of the upper extremities (likely sciatica), and other service-connected conditions have been dismissed. The issues of higher ratings for lower back and cervical spine disabilities are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder, bilateral wrist, low back, bilateral hip, left knee, and bilateral ankle disabilities. These conditions are deemed to be related to military service.

The Board has denied service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability and remanded the issues of service connection for residuals of a right wrist ganglion cyst removal surgery, an initial disability rating for a left knee disability in excess of 10 percent, and an initial disability rating for a left testicle hydrocele with epididymitis in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for reactive arthritis of the right wrist and hand, left ankle, and GERD are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's initial disability rating for his left wrist condition is being remanded due to the lack of an adequate opinion regarding functional limitations during flare-ups.

The Board has remanded two issues related to increased ratings for service-connected right wrist and scar disabilities due to the addition of VA examination reports after the issuance of the Supplemental Statement of the Case.

The Veteran's neurogenic bladder is granted a 60% rating, effective March 10, 2009. The Veteran's PTSD and depression are granted a 70% rating from September 22, 2015. The right wrist disability claim has been reopened but not yet decided. The low back disability claim remains denied.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding his claimed musculoskeletal disorders and hearing loss. The VA will need to obtain additional medical opinions addressing the relationship between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's effective date for adding his spouse as a dependent to his VA disability compensation award is granted on October 1, 1978. The issue of recognizing the Veteran’s son as a dependent child remains pending and requires further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for service connection of peripheral neuropathy and sleep apnea. The claims were received more than one year after the Veteran’s separation from service, and the earliest possible assignable effective dates are August 18, 2016.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for a right wrist disorder, gastritis, prostate disorder, and major depressive disorder due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for lower back disorder, left wrist CTS, and right wrist CTS. The Board found that there was no evidence to support a nexus between the current disabilities and active service.