Wrist & hand decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim of service connection for right ear hearing loss is dismissed.,Service connection granted for right wrist chronic radicular strain, depression and anxiety, and left upper extremity radiculopathy. Service connection denied for right shoulder impingement syndrome and right upper extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for postoperative right carpal tunnel is being remanded due to the lack of a relevant VA examination report.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the Veteran is not entitled to a compensable initial disability rating for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and was not entitled to an initial disability rating higher than 10 percent for right wrist CTS.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to open medical questions regarding the frequency and severity of his flare-ups, which may be related to Raynaud’s syndrome or bilateral wrist fracture residuals.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment for the period beginning April 17, 2010 to September 7, 2011. As a result, TDIU is granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left hand and wrist disability, as well as his hepatitis C, were not incurred or caused by service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or exposure to risk factors for these conditions.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left carpal tunnel release, bilateral eye disorders, PTSD, fibromyalgia, hemorrhoids, and seasonal allergies. The Veteran will need additional examinations and evaluations for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a right wrist disorder and denied service connection for migraine headaches, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea.

The Veteran's residuals from a left wrist laceration and mononeuropathy of the left radial nerve are rated at 20 percent each, effective as of the date of decision.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, finding no current diagnoses or evidence of a disability in the Veteran's service records or post-service treatment. The claims were not reopened due to lack of evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection, hearing loss rating, and right wrist arthritis rating due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's cervical syrinx and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome are granted service connection. The Veteran's other conditions, including loss of use of extremities and impotence, are not found to be related to service.

The Board has remanded two issues: the claim for an increased rating for the service-connected low back disability and the claim for a compensable rating for the service-connected right side carpal tunnel syndrome. The claims are being remanded due to inadequate examinations and the need for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and nerve impairment in his bilateral upper extremities (claimed as carpal tunnel syndrome), and granted a TDIU rating. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations due to insufficient evidence in his claims file, particularly regarding his Reserve service records and treatment records. The Veteran is also required to provide private medical records related to his knee disabilities.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims for arthritis of the wrists, left foot condition, right foot condition, ischemia, and chronic sinusitis. However, service connection is not granted for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for the residuals of a right wrist fracture is being remanded due to an inadequate examination and incorrect application of the burden of proof.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, residuals of a left elbow injury, low back disability, left knee disability, and left wrist disability are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for erectile dysfunction, scars, and a headache disorder due to inadequate medical opinions and missing VA treatment records. The Veteran is also granted TDIU.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including those related to gout, left wrist disorder, right wrist disorder, back disorder, sleep apnea, headaches, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Veteran's service treatment records show he reported and was treated for many of these conditions during his military service.