Wrist & hand decisions — 2018

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder strain with carpal tunnel syndrome and cubital tunnel syndrome, finding that there is no evidence of such conditions being related to his active service or his service-connected lumbar strain. The case was also remanded for further development regarding an increased disability evaluation for his lumbar strain.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including arthritis, left wrist disability, bilateral hearing loss, vertigo, malaria, sleep disorder, hypertension, rashes, diabetes, stroke, neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as depression).

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left shoulder disability, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and obstructive sleep apnea due to insufficient medical opinions. The rating for cervical spine disability is also remanded as evidence suggests a material worsening since the last examination in January 2014. The initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is also remanded because the audiogram associated with the September 2015 VA audiology consult has not been made part of the record.

The Veteran's appeal regarding a compensable rating for his residual right wrist scar was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of findings of deep, painful, or unstable scars. The issue of an initial rating higher than 10 percent for bilateral pes planus is remanded as there are unclear symptoms related to both pes planus and plantar fasciitis fibromatosis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for tinnitus, sleep disability, left wrist scars, right shoulder disability, skin disability, and headaches. The effective date for the grant of service connection for left wrist scars is set at June 18, 2014.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions, including back, left wrist, right wrist, left shoulder, and right shoulder conditions due to inadequate previous examinations.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to determine the nature and likely cause of the Veteran's erectile dysfunction and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as their relationship to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeal for higher initial ratings for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for various conditions related to presumed herbicide exposure during service is remanded due to insufficient evidence or further clarification of the claims.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left wrist condition, right wrist condition, bilateral hearing loss, and testicular disability as there is no evidence of a current disability related to these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for hepatitis C and carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral shin splints, right ankle condition, and bilateral wrist condition due to their inextricability. The Veteran's representative listed service connection for migraine headaches as an issue but later withdrew it. The issues are now being reviewed with a focus on obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of the current conditions.

The Veteran's right wrist disability, specifically a right wrist strain, was incurred during active service and is now granted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as his combined disability rating does not meet the schedular criteria for a total disability rating, and there is no evidence that he is unable to obtain or retain substantially gainful employment due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand and a right ankle condition associated with right knee sprain with internal derangement have been reopened due to new evidence submitted since the last denial.,Service connection is not granted as the Board finds that the current conditions are less likely than not proximately due to or caused by his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected migraine headaches, asthma, left wrist disability, and allergic rhinitis with sinusitis prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment from December 1, 2011 through September 10, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbosacral strain with degenerative disc disease was denied. The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) from January 1, 2011 to February 3, 2013 was granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings of hypertension, left and right carpal tunnel syndrome, right shoulder strain, right lateral epicondylitis, right ankle strain, upper airway resistance syndrome, and PTSD prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand is denied. The Board has also remanded his claims for a respiratory or lung condition, to include chronic sinusitis, asthma, and allergic rhinitis, due to burn pit exposure in service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance, warranting SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left wrist disability was denied. An effective date earlier than March 23, 2004 for the award of service connection for left wrist disability and an effective date from October 21, 2013 for TDIU were also denied.