Wrist & hand decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection for a right knee sprain and an evaluation higher than 20 percent for left shoulder rotator cuff tear. The hypertension claim is denied as new and material evidence was not submitted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of all appeals.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions were denied. The highest schedular rating of 60% was granted for neurodermatitis, but no other condition received a positive decision.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran was exposed to noise in service which caused these disabilities.,Service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome is also granted as it is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee and hand disabilities due to incomplete medical records. The VA is instructed to obtain all relevant STRs, update clinical records of any treatment received since discharge, and arrange for examinations by orthopedists, neurologists/physiatrists/surgeons, and dermatologists.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral foot condition (plantar fasciitis), and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his right wrist disability is denied as the evidence does not show ankylosis or dorsiflexion of 20 to 30 degrees, which are required for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of right wrist, right ankle, or back disabilities. The claims for nerve damage and dizziness are remanded due to incomplete service records.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome due to inadequate medical opinion and need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and medical opinions regarding his claimed conditions. Service connection will be determined based on the merits of each claim.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is being remanded for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition, including whether ankylosis is present.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left forearm and wrist disability is remanded due to the inadequacy of the July 2015 examination, which did not evaluate pronation and supination of the forearm. The examiner will need to provide a full description of any functional limitations associated with the left forearm.

The Veteran's PTSD claim is reopened and service connection for PTSD is granted.,The psychiatric disability other than PTSD, including bipolar disorder, OCD, and ADHD, claim is reopened. Service connection for these conditions remains remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and left knee disorders, as well as initial compensable ratings for migraine headaches and a right wrist disorder. The Board found no evidence of aggravation of pre-existing conditions during service.,For migraines, the Board noted that there were no documented prostrating attacks averaging one in two months over the last several months.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected back disability. The claims for right ear hearing loss, left elbow and wrist disabilities, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, melanoma, and upper extremity carpal tunnel syndromes are all denied.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome in both wrists and sciatica/radiculopathy in both lower extremities due to insufficient evidence of current diagnoses.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of all remaining claims following the award of a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has denied service connection for gastritis and insomnia, but has remanded the issues of service connection for left hand/wrist disability, right hand/wrist disability, scar on the left side of the head, and memory loss as secondary to peripheral vestibular disorder.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss and increased disability ratings for his service-connected residuals of fracture of the left wrist, trigger finger, sarcoidosis, and scar on the left first metacarpal (thumb). The appeals were based on direct service connection without any presumption or secondary basis.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for surgical scarring of the breasts due to fibrocystic disease from December 15, 2010, through November 6, 2017, is granted. The request for a higher rating on and after November 7, 2017, is denied. New and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims of service connection for left thumb tendonitis and left wrist tendonitis, with the requests to reopen being granted.