Wrist & hand decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right elbow, left shoulder, and left knee disabilities have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The claim for a right elbow disability is denied as there is no evidence linking it to active service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and left knee disabilities are granted as they may be related to his Gulf War service. However, the preponderance of evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were aggravated by service.,Service connection for headaches is granted on an aggravation basis, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as incurred in active duty. The issues of service connection for a left wrist disability, neck disability, bilateral hearing loss, and patellofemoral syndrome of the left knee are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for endometriosis with infertility and denied service connection for a left wrist cyst, carpal tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity, and migraines. The case is remanded to obtain additional medical records and determine if an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression) is related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of a right wrist disorder including carpal tunnel syndrome, an effective date prior to October 24, 2007 for major depressive disorder, and an effective date prior to December 27, 2002 for a 30 percent evaluation for residuals of cholecystectomy with irritable bowel syndrome. The Board found that the Veteran's right wrist disorder was not incurred in service and her claims for depression and irritable bowel syndrome were denied as she had already been granted service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left wrist condition, left ankle condition, skin condition, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and depression) due to incomplete VA treatment records. The Veteran is required to provide additional medical evidence.

The Veteran's actinic keratoses are granted service connection. The right wrist disability is denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for right wrist pain, lumbosacral strain, colds, upper respiratory infections (claimed as sinus disorder), and bunions with hallux valgus deformity, partially compensated flat feet. The claims are being remanded due to a lack of VA examinations addressing these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee condition, right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, and left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome due to lack of development. The issues have not been adjudicated by the RO and appealed to the Board.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or by reason of being housebound due to a lack of an appropriate VA examination. The examiner must clarify if the Veteran is limited in his ability to bathe and toilet as a result of service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for scapholunate ligament sprain of the left wrist and lateral meniscus tear of the left knee are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. A new examination is required.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection for PTSD were denied. The right wrist and left knee disabilities are rated at the minimum levels, and there is no indication of a new or material issue that would warrant reopening the claim for PTSD.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his degenerative joint disease of the left wrist was denied, as he currently has a 10 percent disability rating. His claim for a compensable rating for his scar on the left wrist was also denied.

The Veteran's left wrist disability has increased in pain and decreased his range of motion, causing issues with daily duties and yard work. The VA examinations did not comply with the requirements set forth in Correia v. McDonald (2016).

The Board has remanded the claims for increased evaluation and TDIU due to inconsistencies in the VA examination of August 2017, and further development is needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, bilateral hand disability, toenail fungus, CTS, depression, and memory loss have been granted. The claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus was reopened due to new evidence indicating possible onset prior to December 1972.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a dental condition and several other conditions was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for compensation purposes, as there was no impairment of maxilla, mandible, or temporomandibular articulation resulting from in-service trauma.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, left shoulder disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and lumbar spine disability due to incomplete information and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's cervical spine and left carpal tunnel disabilities were dismissed due to the RO granting them in full. The right ear hearing loss disability, actinic keratosis (skin condition), acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD), right shoulder and knee disabilities, sleep apnea, hernia, GERD, and TBI have been denied. Service connection for hypertension has also been denied.

The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome, right wrist is rated at 30 percent. The Veteran's right wrist tenosynovitis and IBS are each rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis, right sacroiliac degenerative joint disease, left carpal tunnel syndrome, and right carpal tunnel syndrome are all granted. The Veteran is assigned a 40% rating for his right sacroiliac degenerative joint disease, a 20% rating for his left carpal tunnel syndrome, and a 30% rating for his right carpal tunnel syndrome.