Wrist & hand decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination results and outstanding VA treatment records need to be obtained.

The Veteran's bilateral knee braces caused wear and tear on his clothing, leading to the grant of a clothing allowance for calendar years 2013 and 2014.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of entitlement to increased ratings for her service-connected left and right wrist disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support a schedular rating in excess of 10 percent.

This decision denies increased ratings for left and right carpal tunnel syndromes. The appeal for service connection of a heart disability is dismissed. Appeals for service connection of right ankle, sinus, and gastrointestinal disorders are remanded.,The effective dates for TDIU and DEA are also remanded.

The Board denied the reopening of claims for service connection for left distal humerus myopathy, left wrist myopathy, and right wrist myopathy due to lack of material evidence.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a medical opinion regarding the origins of his left arm carpal tunnel syndrome and the severity of his left shoulder disability, as well as the need to obtain additional VA and private treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for a left wrist disability, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing condition did not worsen during service and that there is no evidence of any current wrist disabilities related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of both upper extremities due to inadequate examination and lack of updated treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 20 percent for her right carpal tunnel syndrome and denied service connection for a bone condition secondary to her right carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's left knee disorder, dermatitis of the bilateral shins, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome have been granted service connection.,The Veteran's left shoulder impingement syndrome (non-dominant) has had its appeal dismissed due to the Veteran expressing a desire to withdraw his claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left wrist disability, including carpal tunnel syndrome, is service-connected as it was first diagnosed during his military service and linked to his active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to January 30, 2018.

The Veteran's left shoulder tendinitis and right shoulder strain are granted as service-connected. Initial ratings for left and right CTS have been granted, with the right CTS receiving a higher initial rating than the left. The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the knees remains remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right wrist and ankle disabilities, finding that they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes. The case is remanded to obtain updated treatment records and schedule the Veteran for an examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right ankle disability.

Service connection is granted for right ankle/heel inversion, left ear perforation (previously claimed as right ear perforation), chronic bronchitis, and left wrist and thumb scars. A TDIU is also granted.,Bladder disability and seborrheic dermatitis of the scalp are remanded due to insufficient rationale provided in the February 2018 DBQ.

The Veteran's right wrist and low back disabilities are granted service connection. The right shoulder disability is granted an increased rating to 20 percent, but the scar associated with it remains noncompensable.

The Board denied service connection for a right wrist disorder, lumbar spine disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder as the evidence did not show these conditions were incurred in or related to active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's preexisting bilateral flatfeet were aggravated by service, and therefore grants service connection for this condition. The claim for an increased rating for right CTS is denied as there is no evidence of worsening beyond what would be expected from natural progression.

The Veteran's claims for sleep apnea, hypertension, headaches, PTSD, and left testicular torsion are being remanded to obtain additional information and evidence.,A total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded 10 issues related to tinnitus, allergic rhinitis, psoriasis, and various forms of rheumatoid arthritis due to the lack of service treatment records. The RO is instructed to attempt to locate these records through multiple avenues.