Wrist & hand decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected right wrist median nerve paresthesia/atrophy and arthritis do not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical examinations that failed to consider the Veteran's possible functional loss of his right wrist during flare-ups. The Veteran is seeking a higher disability rating for his service-connected right wrist disability.

The Board denied service connection for various shoulder, wrist, hand, and knee disabilities claimed as secondary to service-connected Lyme disease. The Veteran was found not to have current diagnoses of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that the Veteran's MOS as an airframe repairman likely caused his condition.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral pes cavus and costochondritis were denied. The issues of increased ratings for right wrist tendonitis, left wrist tendonitis, onychomycosis of the left big toenail, migraine headaches, and PTSD are all remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection of various lower and upper extremity disorders, as well as a left shoulder disorder, to allow for additional development. The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disorder is found to be at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including hypertension and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, need further evaluation due to the length of time since his last examinations and complaints of worsening symptoms. The VA is required to obtain records from his private primary care physician.

The Veteran's service-connected healed fracture of the right fifth metacarpal is rated at 10 percent, but no higher. The Board has remanded his claims for service connection for right hand osteoarthritis and a right wrist condition.

The Veteran's appeal for the issue of entitlement to service connection for a left shoulder disorder was dismissed as the Veteran requested its withdrawal during his July 2018 Board hearing.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea, right shoulder and lumbar spine conditions, have rendered him unable to engage in substantially gainful employment. The Board granted a TDIU based on the combined effect of his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran is granted entitlement to a TDIU and SMC based on the need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities. The effective dates will be determined by the AOJ.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions including right wrist disorder, right wrist cyst, left elbow disorder, right elbow disorder, low back disorder, and sleep apnea. The decision is based on the absence of evidence showing a current disability or any link to service.

The Veteran's claim for a bilateral hand disability is denied. Service connection for depressive disorder as secondary to service-connected disabilities is granted, with the restoration of a 100 percent evaluation for malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the left thigh effective September 1, 2012. The Veteran's paresthesia and degenerative joint disease of the left wrist are each rated at 20 percent.

The Board has determined that service connection is granted for right knee patellofemoral syndrome and shin splints, as well as left knee patellofemoral syndrome and shin splints. The Veteran's current conditions are considered to be related to her military service.,Service connection was denied for the Veteran's left wrist disability, low back disability, and sinusitis (also claimed as rhinitis and upper respiratory allergies).

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to comply with the requirements of Correia v. McDonald.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, claimed as PTSD, is granted with an effective date of January 29, 1972.,Left knee instability and right knee instability are granted with an effective date of January 29, 1972. Left knee loss of extension is also granted with the same effective date.

The Veteran's service-connected right humerus disability is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has found that it does not warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran's service-connected left wrist scar is currently rated as noncompensable (0%), and the Board has found that it does not warrant a compensable rating.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate VA examinations and missing medical records.

The Veteran's low back condition is granted service connection, but his left shoulder and right wrist conditions are denied. The issue of entitlement to service connection for right upper quadrant pain and tinea pedis is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease and facet arthritis, right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), and left hip bursitis. The remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for a right foot disability, left foot disability, and right ankle disability are remanded for further development.