Wrist & hand decisions — 2018

The Veteran's right wrist triangular fibrocartilage complex tear status-post operative repair resulted in painful motion of the wrist causing restricted extension prior to May 17, 2013.,For the entire period on appeal, the Veteran's hypertension has been manifested by continuous medication for control without objective findings of diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic cervical spine pain/chronic myositis paracervical spine muscles, hypertensive cardiovascular disease, degenerative joint disease of the bilateral elbows, ankles, shoulders, knees, wrists, and hips, and dyslipidemia have been remanded due to a need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for left shoulder arthritis and bilateral wrist arthritis have been withdrawn. Service connection for residuals of a stroke was denied as there is no evidence that the Veteran suffered a stroke in service or within one year post-service, and there is no medical evidence linking his current cerebrovascular disease to service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his right wrist disability, including any arthritis. The issue will be reconsidered after this additional development.

The Veteran's appeal of the issues of entitlement to service connection for PTSD and diabetes mellitus, type II, has been withdrawn prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic/severe headaches, left hip condition, mental health condition, right arm condition, right hand condition, right wrist condition, scars (right shoulder), and spinal condition has been denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, sinus condition, HTN, gastrointestinal disorder, residuals of a hysterectomy, skin condition, headaches, bilateral CTS, and psychiatric disorder are all service-connected based on direct evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right wrist arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome are not related to his service, specifically his ganglion cyst. The disorders were first manifest many years after separation from service.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining addendum medical opinions and reviewing the Veteran's claims file.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than June 24, 2010 for the initial grant of service connection for pseudo folliculitis barbae and for an initial compensable rating for right foot tinea pedis have been withdrawn. The claim for a higher rating for right wrist osteoarthritis with distal ulnar styloid fracture was also withdrawn.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include major depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder, as secondary to service-connected disabilities were not addressed due to the withdrawal of these issues.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to new VA treatment records being added to the claims file. The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for arthritis of the right wrist and fingers, secondary to a service-connected right elbow disability, is now pending.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for right thumb fracture and right wrist disorder. The case is being remanded to obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's hepatitis B and Dupuytren's contracture in both hands have been granted service connection. The Board has found that the Veteran had these conditions prior to his entry into service, but they were not noted at any time during service.,Regarding the right wrist disability, the Veteran was granted a 10 percent rating for osteoarthritis of the right wrist from March 1, 2014 onward. The Board found that this condition is related to his service-connected bilateral foot disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed right shoulder, elbow, and wrist disabilities are not related to service. The VA examiners have provided opinions indicating there is no evidence of a chronic disability from service or any link between current conditions and service.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, Type I, is rated at 60 percent disabling. The Board also granted a TDIU rating due to the combined effect of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is related to his service, and new evidence supports reopening of his claim for right wrist fracture. The pre-existing condition was aggravated by active duty service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim and granted service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity, finding that new evidence supports a current diagnosis and establishes a relationship to service.

The Veteran has provided new and material evidence to reopen his claims for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right and left upper extremities. The Board finds that he experienced hand pain and numbness during service, which may be related to his current disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disability, left shoulder disability, and carpal tunnel syndrome in the left wrist are not supported by evidence showing a direct relationship to service. The preponderance of the evidence does not support these claims.

The Board denied service connection for lumbosacral strain, left ankle/foot strain, and bilateral pes planus. Service connection was granted for low back disability (DDD with stenosis and dextroscoliosis), numbness in the left leg and foot, residuals of injury to the right leg, including hip, ankle, and foot, and residuals of injury to the left wrist, hand, and fingers.