Wrist & hand decisions — 2018

Service connection is denied for sleep apnea, stomach disability, hypertension, left hand disability, low back injury, left leg lumbar radiculopathy, right ankle injury residuals, left wrist degenerative arthritis, and left eye injury residuals.,A compensable rating is granted for scar, status post left wrist fusion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right shoulder strain and right wrist strain, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection due to insufficient evidence or further development being necessary.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance due to his right wrist brace is remanded as the decision was made without considering his statements about the brace wearing and tearing his clothes.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims for service connection, including arthritis of the wrists, left knee condition, left hand scars, right ankle condition, vertigo and/or Meniere's disease secondary to hearing loss, migraine headaches secondary to hearing loss, Raynaud's disease of various extremities, anemia, and acquired psychiatric disorders. The remand requires additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claim for a right knee disability and bilateral pes planus was reopened, and the claims are granted. The left ankle, lumbar spine, and wrist disabilities as well as OSA remain denied.

The Veteran's left wrist disorder, hypertension, IBS, ED, and GERD are not service-connected.,Specifically, the Board found that the Veteran’s current left wrist disorder is not caused by or related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is currently rated as 50 percent disabling, effective from August 7, 2013. The Board finds that the criteria for a higher rating are not met at any point during the period on appeal.

The Veteran's right wrist disability, which includes a post-operative fracture and degenerative joint disease with a scar, is currently rated at the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent. The Board found that there was no limitation of motion or ankylosis to warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's right hand/wrist disability is being remanded for an adequate examination to determine the current severity of his condition.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for new VA examinations and the identification of outstanding private treatment records.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on several service-connected conditions have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the appeals.,An issue regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, has been remanded.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral wrist disability has been reopened.,The Veteran's claim for low back disability has been reopened.,The Veteran's claim for bilateral knee disability has been reopened.

The Board has remanded the cases due to outstanding records and the need for further examination regarding the Veteran's psychiatric condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been rated at 80 percent combined, and are reasonably shown to be of such nature and severity as to preclude his participation in substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and work experience. The Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of an armpit rash and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome due to his withdrawal of these claims prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right hip disorder, right lateral epicondylitis, and right carpal tunnel syndrome are not related to his military service. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion regarding secondary service connection for right finger disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for right carpal tunnel syndrome and left carpal tunnel syndrome due to insufficient evidence. The claim of bilateral pes planus is also remanded as it requires a new medical opinion regarding its etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his right elbow, wrist, knee conditions, as well as residuals of traumatic brain injury due to a lack of a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tachycardia is denied as a matter of law. The Board has also remanded the issue of entitlement to TDIU due to his combined service-connected disabilities.