Wrist & hand decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including left wrist, right wrist, cervical spine, bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The claims were either not appealed or the evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including cervical spine, lumbar spine, hip, knee, ankle, shoulder and arm, elbow, wrist, and psychiatric conditions. The issues have been recharacterized to reflect the benefit sought by the Veteran on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine the current nature and severity of the Veteran's service-connected right wrist disability, including whether it is related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left wrist degenerative arthritis, depression, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) lumbar spine with left leg radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy. Service connection was denied for hepatitis C.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right wrist disorder, thoracolumbar spine disorder, and right ankle disorder due to incomplete medical opinions and lack of evidence regarding these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right wrist disability is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,The Veteran's claim for tinnitus is denied as there is no evidence linking it to his military service.

The Veteran's right wrist sprain is denied as there is no current diagnosis and the previous injury resolved.,The Veteran's upper back disability is denied due to lack of a current condition and insufficient evidence linking it to service.,The Veteran's right ankle sprain is denied because her current condition does not align with in-service complaints or findings.,The Veteran's sinusitis is denied as there was no chronicity during service, and the current diagnosis is resolved.,The Veteran's abdominal pain (dysmenorrhea) is denied due to lack of evidence connecting it to service.,The Veteran's dry skin condition is denied because her current diagnosis does not align with in-service complaints.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection for various disabilities, including a right wrist disability, back disability, right leg disability, left foot disability, and right foot disability (including a right big toe disability). The Veteran will be provided with new VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical records documenting carpal tunnel syndrome in the period between separation from service and 2005, but no opinion has addressed the Veteran's lay statements of potential symptoms. The VA needs to obtain an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran’s bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is related to service.

The Veteran's right wrist tendonitis is rated at 10 percent, and his degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine remains at a 10 percent rating. No higher ratings are granted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The claims for chronic lumbar strain, right ear hearing loss disability, colon polyps including colon cancer, and carpel tunnel of the right hand are being remanded due to additional medical evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on loss of use of the bilateral hands are being remanded due to new evidence and symptom progression. The Board will also consider his claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's service connection claims were denied in a February 2006 rating decision. He filed to reopen the previously denied claims on January 10, 2011, and they were granted effective from that date.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate VA examination opinions and requests for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology and relationship of the Veteran's conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and private medical records. The issues of entitlement to initial compensable evaluations for various service-connected disabilities are being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a chronic sinus disability, arthritis of the left shoulder, bilateral elbows, right wrist, fingers, left ankle, and bilateral feet have been reopened.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left eye disability has not met the criteria to be reopened.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to October 6, 2011 for the grant of a 40 percent rating for residuals, fracture left navicular bone is denied. The Board finds that the evidence does not show that his service-connected residuals, fracture left navicular bone caused or aggravated his left upper extremity disorders.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, a heart condition (claimed as chest pain), and erectile dysfunction. The VA will obtain an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran’s right carpal tunnel syndrome claim, including whether it is caused by or aggravated by his service-connected right wrist tendonitis. A new VA examination will also be scheduled for the Veteran's heart condition claim to determine if it is related to his active service. Additionally, a SOC will be provided for the issue of entitlement to a compensable initial disability rating for erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's depressive disorder, NOS is granted as service-connected.,Effective February 19, 2010, the Veteran is granted a TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.