Wrist & hand decisions — 2018

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that his preexisting condition did not permanently worsen during active duty.

The Board denied service connection for left ankle degenerative joint disease, bilateral wrist disability, and bilateral knee disability as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to service.,The Board also denied service connection for low back disability due to insufficient evidence showing a relationship between the current condition and service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the denials of service connection for various disabilities and compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151.

The Board has denied service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome and remanded the issues of service connection for reflux esophagitis, as well as the initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for limitation of flexion of the right hip, left hip, and rotation of the right hip.

The Board has determined that new examinations are required to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected De Quervain's disease of the bilateral wrists and carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral wrist conditions and hemorrhoids due to outstanding private treatment records and a need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's anxiety and depressive disorders not otherwise specified are rated at 70 percent since July 30, 2012. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran's PTSD was found to have only mild or transient symptoms, resulting in a 50% rating. The cases for levoscoliosis (back condition), left wrist post-surgery, right wrist trauma with DJD, and bilateral knee conditions are all remanded due to inadequate examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's right knee disability. The claim for left wrist carpel tunnel is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the merits have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion regarding his claimed conditions. The issues include tinnitus, coronary artery disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, peripheral neuropathy of the left arm, peripheral neuropathy of bilateral lower extremities, low back pain, hearing loss in both ears, carpal tunnel syndrome and radiculopathy, vision problems, and headaches.

The Veteran's left wrist disability is being remanded for further development to determine its current severity.

Your sinus disorder, including sinusitis and rhinitis, has been remanded for further review.,Service connection requests for shingles, diabetic retinopathy, ear infections, hypercalcemia, peripheral venous insufficiency, and hypogonadism with low testosterone have all been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right carpal tunnel syndrome disabilities are being remanded for further evaluation due to increased severity since the last examination. The TDIU claim is also being remanded as it may significantly impact the rating decisions.

The Board has denied service connection for a right wrist condition and remanded the claims of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depressive disorder, NOS and PTSD with alcoholism, and coronary artery disease (CAD), to include as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder. The case is being remanded due to incomplete VA treatment records and the need for additional examinations.

The claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected post scaphoid nonunion fracture of the left wrist is remanded due to inadequate examination and failure to address flare-ups.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lower back injury and his request for an increased rating for degenerative joint disease of the left wrist were both granted. However, the Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his left wrist condition was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome but denied service connection for a heart murmur. The Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is considered to be directly related to her military service, while the heart murmur is not considered to be associated with any current disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to incomplete records and to consider all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 40 percent for residuals of laceration right wrist with ulnar neuropathy and degenerative changes was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not indicate complete paralysis or distinct symptomatology warranting separate compensable ratings.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination due to inadequate previous evaluations.