Wrist & hand decisions — 2018

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right wrist disability is caused or aggravated by his service-connected right hand disability. The Veteran contends that overcompensating for his right hand disability with his right wrist caused or aggravated the right wrist disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right and left wrist disabilities, specifically carpal tunnel syndrome, were not incurred or aggravated during active service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate examination reports and requests for further evaluations.

The Veteran seeks service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome, which he claims is secondary to benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (dizziness). The case is being remanded due to the inextricability of his claim for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and this one.

The Veteran's right hand/wrist disability is granted service connection. His left knee and vision disabilities are denied, as well as his bilateral hearing loss claim.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and a new examination. The issues include rating his right knee conditions, service connection for left knee disorder, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and TDIU.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him so helpless as to require the regular aid and attendance of another person to perform activities of daily living, such as bathing, grooming, feeding, dressing, and undressing.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that it did not start during service and is not related to any in-service injury or disease. The Board also found that the condition was not present within one year of separation from service.

The Board has granted service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome, including as secondary to the service-connected right wrist pain. The rating for right shoulder sprain with supraspinatus tendinitis and impingement syndrome is remanded due to worsening symptoms since the last examination in June 2012. The rating for right wrist pain is also remanded.

The Veteran's skin disorder and polymyalgia rheumatica are granted as due to exposure to herbicides during service.,High cholesterol, hypertension, prostate disorder (claimed as cancer), anal disorder, disorder manifested by poor blood circulation, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and disorder manifested by whole body numbness have been remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current right knee and carpal tunnel syndrome disabilities and their service. The VA will provide an examination to determine if these conditions are related to lifting and carrying heavy artillery rounds during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, and left eye macula condition are denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for heart condition is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for gastritis and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is denied.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral tinnitus and left carpal tunnel syndrome are denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome is denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for depression is denied.

The Board denied service connection for joint and muscle pain (claimed as ankles, hips, wrists, feet, shoulders, hands, and neck) due to lack of evidence showing a current disability separate from the Veteran's already service-connected fibromyalgia.,Service connection was granted for bilateral hand numbness and neck disorder. The Board found that these conditions were at least as likely as not related to the Veteran’s service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional argument and evidence from the Veteran, and will be reviewed by the AOJ.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has found that a higher rating is not warranted based on current evidence. The case is remanded for further development regarding her left hand and wrist condition.,A new VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran’s current left hand and wrist condition is etiologically related to her already service-connected right hand condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have at least as likely as not prevented her from engaging in substantially gainful employment since November 21, 2011. The Board finds TDIU is warranted as of November 21, 2011 based on the evidence currently of record.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for a foot disorder, an eye disorder, bilateral hearing loss, and a neurological disorder (now claimed as bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome). The Veteran is granted service connection for her foot disorder. Other issues are remanded.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for his right elbow, left elbow, left wrist, and left shoulder conditions need further examination and opinion due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of increased rating for residuals of a left wrist fracture.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hand disorder, claimed as carpal tunnel syndrome, has been reopened and service connection is granted on a secondary basis to his service-connected irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).,Service connection for GERD is granted.,An initial 20 percent rating for the right ankle disability is granted under Diagnostic Code 5271.