Wrist & hand decisions — 2018

The Veteran was granted service connection for headaches, left knee strain, right patellar tendonitis, bilateral elbow strain, bilateral wrist strain, and bilateral shoulder strain.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied.

The Veteran's left wrist strain is granted service connection, effective from the date of separation.,Service connection for radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities is denied as earlier effective dates are not supported by evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's DDD of the lumbar spine due to inadequate testing in the previous examination. The other issues remain pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a right elbow disorder and right upper extremity neuropathy are remanded.,The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for various conditions, including right wrist sprain, lumbar strain, hip trochanteric bursitis, ankle sprains, and headaches, are also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder and right wrist disabilities due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for new examinations.

The Veteran's right upper extremity Carpal Tunnel Syndrome with Peripheral Neuropathy is now rated at 30 percent effective March 21, 2012. The left upper extremity CTS with peripheral neuropathy is also rated at 20 percent effective March 21, 2012.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including right shoulder, left wrist, left leg, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and facial disabilities. The Veteran's claims for myofascial pain syndrome (right pectoral muscle), right foot disability (right great toe), nasal disability, hemorrhoids, mole on the outside of his right knee, and bruxism are pending.

The Veteran's spouse is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on her need for aid and attendance due to physical limitations including chronic back pain, shoulder pain, wrist pain, peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral carpal tunnel.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities of psoriasis vulgaris, psoriatic arthritis, bilateral hearing loss, and psoriatic arthritis of the cervical spine, hands, feet, elbows, wrists, ankles, and shoulders render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. After considering all evidence, including reasonable doubt, TDIU is granted.

The Veteran is found to be unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, particularly PTSD, back pain, neck pain, and right wrist disability. The Board has granted the TDIU claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination regarding left carpal tunnel syndrome. Further examination is needed to determine if the condition was incurred in service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been submitted. The Veteran's symptoms related to his claimed conditions have not been evaluated in a recent VA examination, so additional examinations are needed.

The Veteran's right wrist disability, which includes arthritis and ankylosis, is rated at 10 percent due to painful motion. The Board found that the condition does not meet criteria for higher ratings as there was no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right wrist disability and acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and drug and alcohol abuse disorder, are not service-connected.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral tinnitus, granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and denied service connection for left and right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome. The initial rating for lumbar strain was also denied.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for left and right median nerve entrapment at the wrist have been granted, with a 20 percent rating assigned for each condition.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for effective dates of April 1, 2014 for service connection of bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The appeals are REMANDED for further evaluations.

The Veteran's service connection for residuals of a left wrist injury is granted. The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, which may be secondary to his service-connected low back disorder and associated neuropathy, is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service-connected conditions, including arthritis in various joints and limbs, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, varicose veins, and right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome. The Board has remanded the case for additional development to obtain STRs and VA examinations regarding his diabetes, left arm/elbow disorder, and hypertension.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including shin and knee issues, abdominal pain, diarrhea, chest pain, shoulder condition, wrist carpal tunnel syndromes, testicular strain, vision problems, and temporomandibular disorder. The reasons given are that the evidence is insufficient to establish a nexus to service.