Wrist & hand decisions — 2018

The Board denied service connection for low back, left arm, and right-hand disorders, finding that the current diagnoses are not related to service or any in-service injury.

The Board has granted effective dates of June 24, 2011 for the Veteran's service-connected left carpal tunnel syndrome, right carpal tunnel syndrome, emphysema/COPD, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The issues related to an increased rating for emphysema/COPD are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected vertigo is granted, with the Board finding that his current diagnosis of chronic vertigo is related to exposure to contaminants in the water at Camp Lejeune during service.,Service connection for a respiratory disability (to include asthma and COPD), heart disability, hypertension, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome are remanded due to lack of medical evidence addressing these claims.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome and GERD, but has remanded these issues due to insufficient evidence. The hearing loss issue is also being remanded.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right knee disability and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that these conditions are related to his active military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate VA examinations and requests for additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various eye, sinus, carpal tunnel syndrome, lower extremity, gastrointestinal, and IBS disorders due to outstanding VA treatment records and a need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's service treatment records do not show any diagnosed low back, left knee, right knee, or bilateral hearing loss disabilities. The Veteran has not provided evidence of current diagnoses for these conditions.,Service connection is denied as there is no medical evidence linking the Veteran’s current low back, left knee, and right knee disabilities to his service.

The Veteran's hypertension, esophageal condition, kidney stones, left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), and right wrist CTS were not shown to be related to service.,There is no evidence of these conditions during or immediately after service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of the scars and left-hand neuropathy have been denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support higher ratings.,The claim to reopen a service connection for a left leg disorder has been granted, but the issue remains pending as it is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right wrist disorder as there is no evidence of any injury or disease during service, and the current condition was not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's hemorrhoids are granted as service connected. The Board found that the Veteran has a current diagnosis of hemorrhoids and that her condition began during active service, resolving all reasonable doubt in her favor.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's back and right wrist disabilities. However, the claim of service connection for a sleep disability secondary to his service-connected back disability is remanded due to the need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for Meniere’s disease, headaches, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome of the right and/or left wrists, and an increased rating for sleep apnea with asthma due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran must be provided with a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for right wrist and left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that the symptoms are related to active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for a rating of 40 percent for left carpal tunnel syndrome with thenar eminence atrophy is granted. The issue of service connection for cervical spine disability is remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether it is related to slamming his head against the driver’s door window during his in-service car accident.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and increased rating claims. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also inextricably intertwined with the increased ratings still on appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for partial blindness is dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for sporadic progressive deteriorating cerebellum ataxia with speech problems, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right and left hands have been dismissed due to his death.

The Board found that the Veteran's dorsal right wrist discomfort, which resulted from a ganglion cystectomy, was aggravated by his military service and granted service connection for this condition.