Wrist & hand decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for service connection for numbness in fingers (now claimed as carpal tunnel syndrome, left hand) is reopened. The Board has ordered additional development to determine if the current bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for effective dates prior to November 7, 2013 for service connection of major depressive disorder, GERD, and left wrist strain due to lack of written communication indicating intent to file a claim.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right wrist condition, left wrist condition, and stiffness in his right hand middle finger due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left ankle disorder, cardiac disorder, left arm disorder, right arm disorder, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The decision also dismissed the claim for a total disability based upon individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial rating of his wrist conditions due to new evidence being associated with the file.

The Board has granted initial compensable ratings for left knee, right wrist, and left wrist disorders. The remaining issues of increased ratings for lumbar spine strain with left lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for a lumbar spine disability and a nerve condition of the left arm, including carpal tunnel syndrome. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during service or were related to any in-service injury.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including eye condition, joint pain, shoulder and neck conditions, wrist and hand conditions, knee and ankle conditions, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, all potentially related to Agent Orange exposure. The Veteran was not afforded VA examinations due to his inability to report for scheduled exams.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability, right ear hearing loss, hypertension, and eczematous dermatitis are all rated at their maximum levels. The claims for increased ratings are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unemployable prior to November 30, 2015. The Board has granted a TDIU for this period.

Service connection for left wrist strain is granted. A rating in excess of 10 percent for GERD and a rating in excess of 20 percent for cervical spine disability are denied. The Veteran's hypertension remains at the minimum compensable rating.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral elbow disorder, including carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that the preponderance of evidence is against a finding that the Veteran's bilateral elbow disorder to include CTS is related to or caused by active service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection have been withdrawn. The Board has remanded the issues of bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, DJD right knee, and DJD left knee to allow for further development.

The Board is remanding several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, gastrointestinal disability, and migraine headaches. The Veteran's claims are being reviewed due to new evidence added after the May 2015 SOC.

The Veteran's claims for left wrist, low back, and right knee disabilities have been denied. A separate rating of 10% has been granted for the portion of his service-connected right knee disability manifested by slight instability.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for annual VA clothing allowances for her right and left wrist braces used due to service-connected carpal tunnel syndrome and fibromyalgia. The decision is based on a finding that these braces cause wear and tear of her outergarments, such as shirts and blouses.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected left wrist, palm, and index finger disabilities are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Veteran's request to reopen his diabetes mellitus, type II claim was granted. Service connection for left wrist condition and upper respiratory infection were denied. Service connection for left shoulder strain and right knee condition (degenerative joint disease and Osgood Schlatter's disease) were also denied.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection of several knee, wrist, and foot disorders. The issues have been remanded to obtain additional evidence.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral wrist condition and remanded the issues of service connection for kidney cancer and kidney disease (to include renal insufficiency) as secondary to kidney cancer.