Wrist & hand decisions — 2018

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, carpal tunnel syndrome (left and right arms), and insomnia. The cases are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, hypertension, cardiovascular disease other than hypertension, left and right carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral hearing loss, and a sleep disorder. The cases are remanded to obtain VA examinations and opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board dismissed the claims of service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, denied reopening of a previously denied claim for left-hand condition, and denied service connection for left-arm condition as secondary to left-hand condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current right wrist disorder. The examiner is requested to provide an opinion on whether it at least as likely as not that the Veteran’s current right wrist disorder was developed in or caused by any incident of his service, other than the injuries suffered during the October 2007 motor vehicle accident.

The Veteran's ununited fracture of the navicular bone, right wrist is rated at 10 percent and denied for an increased rating.

The Veteran's claim for vision problems was reopened due to the submission of new medical and lay evidence. The claims for left shoulder, left ankle, skin cancer, and right wrist disability are remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his carpal tunnel syndrome, right wrist; chronic lumbar strain; and left lower extremity radiculopathy associated with chronic lumbar strain are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's left foot hallux valgus is granted as service-connected. The claims for right and left wrist disorders, bilateral hip disorder, bilateral pes planus, scoliosis, low back disorder, and depressive disorder are all reopened due to new evidence relating the conditions to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are not granted in full, with some issues being remanded for further development and others remaining denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, traumatic brain injury, right wrist sprain, left shin splints, and PTSD with alcohol use disorder. The appeals are also remanded for further evaluation of other conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial disability ratings due to potential errors in medical examinations and lack of recent VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination, and the Veteran's service-connected left ankle and left wrist disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increase rating due to failure of the Veteran to attend scheduled VA examinations. The claims will be remanded for scheduling new VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The osteoid osteoma of the left radius was found to be asymptomatic, while other disabilities were not related to service.

Service connection for ulcerative colitis is granted. The Veteran's sleep apnea is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that this rating adequately reflects his current disability picture.

The Board denied service connection for vertigo, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, and right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were caused by or aggravated by service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from caring for some of his daily personal needs and rendered him unable to protect himself from the hazards or dangers incident to his daily environment. The Board finds that an effective date of October 14, 2011 is warranted for the grant of SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to the need for a VA examination and medical opinion regarding the etiology of his elbow and hand disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied service connection claim for hypertension and granted service connection. Service connection was also granted for polyneuropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome of both upper extremities, which are related to his service-connected diabetes.

Service connection is granted for arthritis and DDD of the lumbar spine, but service connection for CTS is remanded. A rating in excess of 10 percent for pain related to the scar, residual removal of cyst, is denied.