Wrist & hand decisions — 2018

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings and TDIU prior to September 8, 2014.

The Board has determined that additional examinations and evidence are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, a skin condition, and left carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has granted service connection for the residuals of a left wrist ganglion cyst, including arthritis of the left wrist. However, it denied service connection for ulnar neuropathy of the left upper extremity, as related to the left wrist ganglion cyst.

The Veteran's appeal for PTSD was dismissed. The claim for reopening and service connection for cervical spine disability is granted, with a 40% rating effective from February 4, 2011. Service connection for other conditions (numbness in both hands, numbness in left fingers, numbness in right fingers, carpal tunnel syndrome of bilateral wrists, migraine headaches) was denied. The claim for service connection for Scheuermann's Kyphosis of Dorsolumbar Spine is granted with an effective date from February 4, 2011.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back disability, bilateral knee disability, and right wrist disability due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for a right wrist disability and a left leg disability, finding no relationship between the disabilities and service. The Veteran's hearing loss was also remanded due to possible worsening.,Service connection is not granted for a right wrist sprain or a fall on the left thigh during service.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome has been granted, and the cases for rating his left and right lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for right wrist arthritis, finding that it is related to his in-service fall. The evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether the current disability is related to service.

The Veteran's appeals seeking initial compensable ratings for various conditions have been dismissed.,Initial rating higher than 10 percent for glaucoma, left wrist scar residual, and sinusitis are also dismissed.

The Board dismissed all appeals regarding the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as he withdrew his appeals in May 2016. The Veteran was granted a TDIU from July 26, 2012.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's initial claim for a rating of 10 percent for his right wrist fracture prior to October 5, 2016 was granted. The appeal for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent from October 5, 2016 is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected left arm carpal tunnel syndrome is granted on a secondary basis to his existing service-connected cervical spine disability. The rating for the left shoulder disability remains at 40 percent.

The Board has remanded cases for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine, cervical spine, and related neurological disabilities. The issues of service connection remain pending.

Service connection is granted for left knee disability, left ankle disability, and right shoulder disability. The Veteran's hypertension and diabetes mellitus type 2 are rated as appropriate. Service connection for PTSD is denied.,Service connection is denied for tinea versicolor of the face and head, right elbow disability, and left wrist disability.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling appropriate examinations to address the nature and etiology of his claimed disabilities.,The Veteran has multiple issues on appeal that require further examination and review.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral shoulder, wrist, hip, knee, and ankle disabilities as secondary to his service-connected right above the knee amputation. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to or aggravated by his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's right ring and little fingers have not been manifested by unfavorable or favorable ankylosis, but his right carpal tunnel syndrome has been manifested by severe incomplete paralysis of the median nerve. The Board granted a 50 percent evaluation for the right carpal tunnel syndrome prior to September 7, 2017, and denied higher evaluations.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his service-connected right wrist disability is remanded due to the need for updated VA examination and treatment records.

The Board has remanded three issues: left hand disorder, peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity, and peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity. The Veteran's service connection claims for these conditions are being referred back to the AOJ for further review.