Wrist & hand decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for a 10 percent disability rating for surgical scar, ganglion cyst removal left wrist is granted with an effective date of October 7, 2009. The case is remanded due to the need for updated treatment records and a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for various disabilities, including bilateral ankle, knee, wrist, left mandibular paresthesia, lumbar spine disability (DDD), middle finger disability, and bilateral hip disability. The claims are being remanded to obtain VA examinations and additional medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left upper extremity disability, including carpal tunnel syndrome, is remanded due to the need for additional development and medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical records related to the Veteran's cause of death, and a VA examiner is needed to assess whether there is any relationship between the Veteran’s cause of death and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left wrist, right shoulder, right arm pain, left arm pain, lumbar spine degenerative disc disease (low back disability), left knee arthritis, and right knee arthritis due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the severity of his left wrist condition, nature and etiology of his right shoulder and arm disabilities, and nature and etiology of his low back and knee conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right wrist injury is remanded due to insufficient evidence. His claim for bilateral hearing loss remains denied.

For the entire period on appeal, an initial rating higher than 20 percent for a right carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is denied.,For the entire period on appeal, an initial rating higher than 30 percent for a left carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is denied.,For the entire period on appeal, an initial rating of 50 percent, but not higher, for migraine headache disability is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right ear hearing loss and a right wrist disability due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations regarding her service-connected residual scars, joint impairment, muscle damage, and recurrent right wrist ganglion cyst. The current ratings are not sufficient as there are issues with the existing VA examination reports.

The Veteran's claim for increased evaluations and extraschedular considerations for various service-connected disabilities is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of the record.

The Veteran's right wrist scar is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected condition.

The Board has granted service connection for a sinus disability diagnosed as chronic sinusitis. The claims for left wrist, right knee, and hemorrhoids disabilities have been denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for cervical spine disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), and higher rating for low back pain with radiculopathy due to incomplete development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left foot disability, ovarian cyst, sinusitis, arthritis, abdominal pain, chest pain, low back disability with radiculopathy of the lower extremities, sleep apnea, neuroma of the left foot, fibromyalgia, diabetes mellitus, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and anemia. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions have been denied.,Claims seeking earlier effective dates for certain benefits are also denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to obtain the Veteran's terminal hospital reports and missing February 2017 rating action. The appellant’s claims for service connection are also remanded due to an incomplete list of dates the Veteran served on active duty, ACDUTRA, or INACDUTRA.

The Veteran's service-connected major depressive disorder with anxiety disorder NOS has rendered her unable to maintain substantially gainful employment, resulting in a TDIU rating.,Further development is needed for the claims of service connection for exophoria and bilateral upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a left wrist disability, increased ratings for right and left knee disabilities, and TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's claims are pending further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as clarification of his Gulf War service. The issues include multiple musculoskeletal and psychiatric disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the nature and etiology of various disabilities, including PTSD, right hand/wrist disability, lumbar spine condition, left knee disability, right knee disability, left foot disability, right foot disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and pseudofolliculitis barbae. The Board has also determined that verification of the Veteran's in-service stressors is needed.