Wrist & hand decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for evaluations of his service-connected disabilities due to a lack of recent VA examinations and insufficient range-of-motion testing in previous examinations. The Veteran is required to undergo new VA examinations to assess the current severity of his right knee, left wrist, and right wrist disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to insufficient medical opinions. The Board requires an addendum opinion regarding the relationship between his service-connected Kienbock's disease and his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's lower back disability, diagnosed as sacroiliitis and degenerative disc disease, is related to service. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for left carpal tunnel syndrome and left drop-foot were denied as they are not related to service. The claim for an increased disability rating for PTSD was granted, but the Veteran is seeking a higher rating.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as he failed to provide the necessary employment information and did not report for scheduled VA examinations, leading to his abandonment of the claim.

The Board has denied an increased rating for carpal tunnel syndrome, right hand and remanded the issue of a higher rating for cervical degenerative arthritis. The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been rated based on their current severity.

The Veteran's right shoulder scar was initially denied a compensable rating prior to August 2, 2017. A 10 percent rating is granted beginning on that date.,Service connection for heart disorder and bilateral wrist disorders are remanded due to outstanding records.,Right shoulder disability and cervical spine disability ratings are remanded as the Veteran's symptoms have worsened since his last examination in 2014.,Lumbar spine disability rating is remanded as the Veteran's range of motion has worsened since his last VA examination in 2014.,Bilateral foot disabilities and PFB of the face and upper neck are remanded due to outstanding treatment records. Migraine headaches are also remanded for a new examination.,,,

The Board has remanded several claims for further development, including those related to various joint and musculoskeletal issues as well as tinnitus, chronic fatigue syndrome, lactose intolerance, prostate cancer, and its residuals. The Veteran's service in the Persian Gulf is noted.

The Board denied service connection for right shoulder and left wrist disabilities, finding that the evidence did not establish a link between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as there was no earlier effective date than August 8, 2014, the date her claim was received.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a right wrist disability, back disability, and left knee disability due to outstanding VA treatment records and SSA records being needed. Additionally, an addendum opinion is required regarding whether these disabilities are proximately due to or aggravated by service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left distal radius fracture residuals, left elbow and forearm fracture residuals, and right wrist fracture residuals are being remanded due to the need for additional development including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected. The right wrist and bilateral hearing loss claims are remanded due to the failure to schedule appropriate VA examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding his exposure to herbicides and pesticides during service. The Veteran is requested to provide authorization for VA to obtain any outstanding records, including private treatment records. A VA medical examination will be conducted to determine if the Veteran’s current disabilities are related to his in-service exposure.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding his left wrist disability, low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, calculus of the left ureter, and PTSD. The Veteran was granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability from September 27, 2007 to June 12, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected psychiatric disorder, right wrist injury, right knee replacement, gout, and hip disability render him so helpless that he requires the aid and attendance of another person to perform daily activities.

The Veteran's right wrist degenerative joint disease was rated at 10 percent prior to March 5, 2014. Since then, a separate rating of 10 percent for the right knee degenerative joint disease has been granted.,Right knee instability was also granted a separate 10 percent rating effective August 5, 2010.

The Board has denied service connection for a breathing disability, but has remanded the claims for right shoulder disability, right arm tingling (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Cubital Tunnel Syndrome), cervical spine disability, and mixed tension and vascular headaches.,Further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for right wrist disability, tinnitus, skin disability, and depression. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his active duty service.