Wrist & hand decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remand instructions. The Veteran's claims file must be returned for an addendum opinion from the August 2018 examiner.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder, right and left hand carpal tunnel syndromes, allergic rhinitis, hypertension, and anemia are all denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied compensation for residuals of right distal third radius fracture and associated limitation of motion in the right hand due to lack of actual causation by VA, as the additional disability was not caused by VA's negligence or fault.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, as well as his requests for increased ratings for his right wrist and headache disabilities. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including right shoulder DJD, left wrist DJD with limitation of motion, left shoulder DJD, back disorder, right eye disorder, gastrointestinal disorder (claimed as gastritis), skin disorder (claimed as rash on groin), diabetes mellitus, and pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to substantiate the Veteran's claims for service connection of various disorders, including bilateral wrist disorder, low back disorder, neurological disorder of the lower extremities, right hip disorder, right leg disorder, and right foot disorder. The Veteran will be provided with examinations and records are sought from private providers.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as there is no evidence to support her assertions of in-service injury or a current disability related to military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome, specifically her work history with Kelly Services. The case will be reviewed again after obtaining additional records and a new opinion from an examiner.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA examination to determine the current nature and severity of his service-connected right wrist disability, including range-of-motion testing and assessment of additional functional loss during flare-ups or on repeated use.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence and internal inconsistencies in the Veteran's claims file. The Veteran will need to provide VA treatment records, including those related to orthopedic treatment, and an examination will be scheduled to determine if his prescribed appliances and medications cause damage to his clothing.

The Board has determined that additional evidence should be obtained and considered in the claims for service connection for various conditions, including left and right carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic infections of the right eye, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claim is being remanded to allow for this development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left wrist condition had its onset during service and is related to his military service, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right wrist and hypertension disabilities need further examination to determine their current severity, as per VA regulations. The cases are being remanded for these examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and a need to provide notice regarding alternative sources of evidence for her PTSD claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for left shoulder acromioclavicular joint arthritis, as it is unclear whether this condition was incurred in service or caused by an in-service injury. The Veteran's current right wrist condition remains denied.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions were granted effective June 1, 2014. However, he did not receive payment for the month of June due to VA regulations requiring that payments begin on the first day of the month following the effective date.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inconsistencies in the medical records and need for additional examination. The Veteran's left arm disorder is being reviewed again as it may be related to his military service, including exposure to herbicide agents.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, sleep apnea, median nerve paralysis (left hand), median nerve paralysis (right hand), carpal tunnel syndrome (left hand), and carpal tunnel syndrome (right hand).

The Board denied service connection for a right foot disability, lumbar spine disability, tinnitus, sleep apnea, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The Veteran did not have any diagnosed conditions related to these disabilities during his periods of active duty.,Service connection was denied as the evidence does not show that any current diagnoses are related to service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed. The appeal for an initial compensable evaluation for headaches prior to July 17, 2017, is remanded.