Wrist & hand decisions — 2018

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent from November 1, 2010 to September 4, 2014 for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew her claim at a prehearing conference.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete medical records and the need for a VA examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for his left wrist disability is pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a sleep condition, increased rating for left wrist disability, and increased rating for back disability have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeals prior to the Board making a decision.,For allergic rhinitis, an initial compensable rating (10%) has been denied as there was no evidence of greater than 50% obstruction or nasal polyps. However, from March 8, 2017 onwards, a 30% rating for the presence of nasal polyps has been granted.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The remaining issues were remanded for further examination and review.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in the physical loss or permanent loss of use of one or both hands or feet, nor does he have ankylosis of his knees or hips. Therefore, he is ineligible for financial assistance in purchasing a vehicle and adaptive equipment.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient evidence and need for updated evaluations.

The Veteran's initial ratings for osteoarthritis and avascular necrosis of the left wrist (10%) and cervical radiculopathy of the right upper extremity (40%) are denied.

The Veteran's cervical spine DJD and left carpal tunnel syndrome are currently rated at 20 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board is remanding several claims, including those related to headaches, allergic rhinitis, hemorrhagia with secondary iron-deficiency anemia, injury of the right hand and wrist, tinnitus, and vertigo. The AOJ must consider all additional evidence since the last adjudications in September 2016 and September 2018.

The Veteran's claims for left wrist disorder, petition to reopen right wrist pain, and asthma rating are dismissed. The lower back and right shoulder disorders' service connection petitions are reopened.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disability other than pseudofolliculitis barbae, low back disability, bilateral wrist disabilities (including carpal tunnel syndrome), and right knee disability due to lack of evidence supporting these claims. The case is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions, including knee and hip issues secondary to a right ankle condition, have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these appeals. The remaining claims are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and umbilical hernia have been reopened. The Board has granted service connection for these conditions. Other issues are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for various disabilities, including left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, right hand disability, cervical spine disability, peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities, carpal tunnel syndrome, and right wrist disability. The Veteran is also required to provide additional non-VA treatment records and Worker’s Compensation claim records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claims for increased ratings for left hand arthritis, right hand arthritis, and bilateral wrist conditions are dismissed as the Veteran withdrew them during his hearing. The claims for increased rating for status post left knee replacement and neck condition are remanded.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain, degenerative arthritis, and degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine are caused by his service-connected right knee instability and degenerative arthritis.,There is at least a reasonable doubt as to whether the Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis is caused by his service-connected right knee instability and degenerative arthritis. The evidence is approximately evenly balanced on this issue.,The Veteran's left carpal tunnel syndrome is caused by his service-connected right carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has granted service connection for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) in both the left and right hands, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these conditions had their onset during service or within a year of separation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating and TDIU due to issues with the left wrist navicular fracture. The case will be reviewed again, including consideration of extraschedular evaluations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, finding no relationship between his current condition and his active duty service.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including DDD of the cervical and thoracolumbar spine, bilateral hearing loss, GERD, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, dermatitis, squamous cell skin cancer, CTS, upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, TBI, and migraine headaches. The Board found that there was no in-service injury or event supporting the claims for these conditions.