Wrist & hand decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his right wrist and right shoulder disabilities are being remanded due to new evidence received after the November 2015 supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's claim for service connection to include as due to exposure of ionizing radiation and secondary to service-connected disabilities has been granted. The issues have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on atrial fibrillation, fatty liver disease, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and anxiety disorder are remanded due to the need for more contemporaneous examinations. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various upper extremity disorders, including shoulder and wrist conditions as well as peripheral neuropathy. The RO is instructed to obtain private medical records from Dr. Rothman and Dr. Martin, and consider any new evidence submitted by the Veteran’s representative regarding a potential aggravation of these conditions.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased rating claims due to withdrawal of his appeal by the Veteran. The appeals were not related to service connection, but rather to issues regarding increased ratings.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether carpal tunnel syndrome is aggravated by residuals of a fracture of the fourth finger of the right hand. The issues of service connection and increased rating are inextricably intertwined.

Service connection for left arm carpal tunnel syndrome is granted as secondary to service-connected right arm disability.,An increased rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's right wrist disability (post-traumatic arthritis) is denied.,The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder, wrist, and lower extremity radiculopathy conditions. Service connection was also denied for chronic diarrhea. The Veteran's claims were not granted as his current disabilities are not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's complete service treatment records are incomplete and needs to be obtained. The claims for service connection will be remanded until VA can obtain these records.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's left shoulder disorder, which is currently rated at 20 percent. The issues of service connection for left wrist and cervical neck disorders are dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right wrist, hand, and finger conditions, including whether they are aggravated by his service-connected right elbow strain and ulnar nerve transposition.

The Veteran's claim for acid reflux as secondary to obstructive sleep apnea is denied.,The Veteran's claim for headaches is granted, with the Board finding that there is at least equipoise evidence of continuity of symptomatology since service.,The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety, and depression) is granted, as the Board finds his statements credible regarding in-service events and concludes that his current diagnosis of depression is related to these events.,The Veteran's claims for a left hand/wrist condition and bilateral foot condition are remanded for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran's claim for a left ear hearing loss disability is remanded for an appropriate VA examination, including consideration of aggravation by service-connected right ear hearing loss and/or tinnitus.,The Veteran's claim for a respiratory disability is remanded for readjudication based on additional medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar radiculopathy, increased ratings for left and right wrist disorders, and an initial rating higher than 10 percent for his lumbar strain have all been denied.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, bilateral hip, and bilateral carpal tunnel disorders due to lack of evidence of in-service injury or disease.,Service connection was also not granted for a current left heel disability as the Veteran did not demonstrate any functional impairment.

The Board has remanded the claims for a bilateral hand/wrist disorder, back disorder, and neck disorder due to incomplete examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an extraschedular rating and TDIU due to new evidence and functional loss. The RO is instructed to obtain updated VA treatment records, conduct a medical examination, and request tax returns from 2006 forward.

The Veteran's surgical scars of the left fingers, hand, and wrist have been granted a 10 percent rating effective January 18, 2012. The Board found that there were two painful scars on his index and long fingers after repetitive use.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for residual scar, left wrist ganglion, and his initial rating in excess of 30 percent for migraine headaches have been denied. The Veteran is not entitled to a higher rating as the scars do not exceed 6 square inches or cause pain or instability, and his migraines are characterized by attacks occurring on average once per month.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been remanded due to the need for additional examination and development of his VA treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for increased ratings due to new evidence of worsening symptoms, and requests authorization from the Veteran to obtain private treatment records related to his disabilities. The Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to assess the current severity of his lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, left knee disability, left carpal tunnel syndrome, and right carpal tunnel syndrome.