Wrist & hand decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his right and left carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as his claim for TDIU based on service-connected disabilities other than generalized anxiety disorder with panic attacks, depression, and chronic insomnia. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current vision/eye disability, and there is no evidence of peripheral neuropathy or right wrist disability during service. The preponderance of the evidence is against finding any connection between these conditions and active service.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral wrist arthritis did not manifest during service or within one year of separation, and is not related to his service-connected traumatic arthritis of the lumbosacral spine. The claim for service connection was denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been incurred during service. The Veteran's patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee is currently rated at 10%. The Veteran's left wrist/forearm pain remains pending.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain updated medical evidence and for the appellant to be afforded an examination. The appeal will be processed as if the hearing request was withdrawn.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back condition and CTS of the right hand/wrist have been reopened, but new evidence does not establish that these conditions are related to his military service.,Tinnitus was not found to be incurred in service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral wrist conditions and sleep apnea are related to his military service, with all reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran. Service connection is granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since June 1, 2011.

The Veteran's right hand carpal tunnel syndrome is not shown to be etiologically related to service, and the claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA examinations and attempting to verify a claimed in-service stressor. The case will be returned to the Board after these actions are completed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's currently diagnosed right (dominant) wrist tendon/cartilage injury is causally connected to an injury sustained in active service, and thus grants service connection for residuals of right wrist injury.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral shoulder disability, arm and wrist disability, neck disability, back disability, leg disability (including varicose veins and blood clots), lung disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD, anxiety, memory loss, sleep disorder), and hip disability. The Board found the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and service.

The Board denied service connection for the Veteran's claimed disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability and concluding that any current conditions were not related to his in-service injuries.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of increased ratings and service connection due to the lack of recent VA examinations and incomplete medical records. The Veteran's left wrist sprain will be remanded for a new examination, while his lumbar spine, right knee, and left knee disabilities will have their ratings reconsidered.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his post-operative residuals of right forearm and right wrist disabilities were denied as there was no evidence supporting an increase in disability beyond what is already compensated by the current 10 percent ratings.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen claims for service connection for right shoulder, ankle, wrist disabilities. The claim of tuberculosis (claimed as positive TB test) was withdrawn by the Veteran during a hearing. Service connection is denied for residuals of a broken nose, heartburn, and athlete's foot.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and consideration of his TDIU claim. The right wrist condition issue remains under review, but a new examination is required as per recent court decisions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the issues of left wrist ganglion cyst removal, right wrist ganglion cyst removal, left flat foot with pain, and sinusitis, status post septoplasty has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew these claims during a hearing before the Board.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including verification of service dates and a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities.