Wrist & hand decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome affecting his right upper extremity, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between the condition and service or any service-connected disability.

The Veteran's TMJ disability is granted as service-connected. The claims for chest pain, right wrist disability, and left knee disability are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and right leg radiculopathy, but denied service connection for cervical spine disability, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), and elevated cholesterol levels.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left wrist condition, right wrist condition, and lumbar spine disability due to inadequate medical opinions. A new examination is required with a clear rationale.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his right upper extremity disability has been dismissed due to the Veteran's death while the case was pending before the Board.

The Veteran's heart palpitations, caesarean section scar, and bilateral CTS have been granted service connection. The conditions are presumed to be related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for hemorrhoids and GERD have been dismissed. The appeal for tinnitus has been partially granted with a 10% rating prior to February 27, 2018, but denied thereafter. Appeals for wrist disabilities, knee disabilities, ankle disabilities, and cervical spine disability are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating on headaches is dismissed. The right hip condition and endometriosis are granted, but the left knee degenerative lateral meniscus and wrist carpal tunnel syndromes remain at their current ratings. A TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected degenerative joint disease of the right wrist is being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for an updated examination.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a left foot disability, finding no current diagnosis and insufficient evidence to establish service connection.,The Veteran's claims for left wrist and right ankle disabilities are remanded due to lack of recent medical records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and a determination on extraschedular TDIU.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the service connection for left wrist, right wrist, left hip, right hip, and hemorrhoids disabilities, as well as the compensable rating for a deviated septum.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss is granted as service-connected. The Veteran's claim for service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome is remanded and will be decided based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's left wrist disability is rated at 30 percent since July 9, 2013. An effective date of July 9, 2013 for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) has been granted.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a right thumb disability, left elbow disability, left wrist disability, and left cubital tunnel syndrome due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of these disabilities. The temporary total evaluation based on surgical treatment requiring convalescence is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance from September 13, 2012, but no earlier. Effective from that date, he is entitled to SMC benefits based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's right and left hand carpal tunnel syndrome were rated at 30% and 20%, respectively, effective November 17, 2010. Prior to this date, the severity of her condition did not warrant these ratings.

The Veteran's low back disability has been granted an increased rating to 40 percent, but no higher, from March 11, 2015.,The Veteran's right hand carpal tunnel condition is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded two issues: service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a higher rating than 10 percent for the right wrist disability due to additional VA records not having been considered.

The Veteran's right-hand carpal tunnel syndrome is being remanded for a VA examiner to provide an opinion on whether it is related to his service-connected residuals of a right ring finger fracture. His bilateral hearing loss is also being remanded for a VA examination to determine its current severity.