Wrist & hand decisions — 2018

The Board granted an initial 10 percent rating for bilateral pes planus and denied a TDIU. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records and the need for further examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) housebound based on her service-connected disabilities, finding that she does not meet the criteria for SMC housebound as defined by law and regulations.

The Veteran's request for a rating greater than 10 percent for degenerative joint disease right wrist is denied. A 30 percent rating for diverticulosis, IBS with GERD has been granted.,Service connection for gastroparesis secondary to gallbladder removal surgery remains in dispute and requires further examination.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various wrist, ankle, and knee disabilities. However, these issues are still being remanded due to insufficient evidence in some areas.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a hand condition, left knee disability, and right knee disability is denied. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for increased ratings for his bilateral knee conditions prior to May 26, 2015.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome and a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for rhinitis. The Board found that there was no evidence linking the current conditions to active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for fibromyalgia, right and left knee disabilities, right and left elbow disabilities, right and left wrist disabilities, and benign lipoma of the left thigh status post excision and infected sebaceous cyst of the left axilla due to lack of a current diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient or speculative opinions provided by VA examiners. The issues include PTSD, cold injury residuals of the feet, left ear hearing loss, low back disability, right wrist disability, and hypertension.

The Veteran's service-connected scar disabilities and adjustment disorder with anxious and depressed mood are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is rated at a 10 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's seafood reaction is not related to his active service.,There is no current diagnosis of a left hand and fingers disability or a right hand and fingers disability.

The Veteran's service connection claim for headaches is remanded. The claim for a higher rating for MDD, earlier effective date for radial neuropathy of the right wrist, and increased rating for a right leg disability are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claims for carpal tunnel syndrome and coronary artery disease were denied as there was no evidence of service connection prior to October 27, 2006.

The Veteran's appeal regarding tinnitus, PTSD, and various wrist and hand strains has been remanded due to the need for additional examinations.,PTSD remains rated at 70 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic urinary frequency dysfunction, and sinusitis. Service connection is denied for hyperglycemia and a skin condition to include freckling and moles.

The Board has granted a request for a new hearing due to the appellant's inability to attend the originally scheduled videoconference hearing. The case is now remanded for scheduling a new hearing.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied as he failed to report for scheduled VA examinations without good cause. The Board found that the failure to appear at the examinations resulted in a denial of his claims.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions and new evidence. The claims for fractures, hypertension, wrist sprain, carpal tunnel syndrome, renal dysfunction, depression, gastroenteritis, and liver failure are being reviewed due to additional evidence.