Wrist & hand decisions — 2018

The Board has ordered additional development to determine if the Veteran's cervical spine, bilateral CTS, and left knee disabilities are related to her military service. The appeal is being remanded for these purposes.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the Veteran's ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to her service-connected disabilities. The appeal will be remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his right wrist degenerative joint disease with nodule was granted, but the current appeal is about whether he should receive an increased rating from 10% to 40%. The VA found that as of September 9, 2013, the Veteran has ankylosis in any position (favorable) and thus warrants a 40% rating.

The Veteran's chronic residuals of hepatitis C have been granted service connection as a result of his in-service combat exposure to blood and enemy contact.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been established based on the Veteran's in-service exposure to acoustic trauma during combat, resulting from artillery fire and explosions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral wrist and knee disorders have been dismissed due to the Veteran's request to terminate his appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum medical opinion and readjudicating the claim. The Veteran's claim of service connection for neurological disabilities of the bilateral upper extremities remains pending.

The Veteran's initial claims for higher ratings for his right knee, left knee, and right elbow disabilities were denied. The claim for a compensable rating for his right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome prior to May 10, 2016 was also denied.

The Board finds that the Veteran's current right wrist disability, including a wrist contusion or sprain and history of severe laceration, is not causally related to his in-service injury. The preponderance of evidence does not support this finding.

The Board found that the Veteran's right thumb disability and associated scars were not incurred or aggravated by service, as her pre-existing conditions existed prior to service. The current disabilities are considered a result of a 1992 surgical procedure unrelated to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is not competent to manage his VA benefit payments.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development to determine the relationship between his current respiratory conditions and service, as well as whether his bilateral hand/wrist disability is related to service or secondary to a cervical spine disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disorders are not related to his active service or are due to a nonservice-connected condition, and thus, denied all of his claims.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus disability is rated at 50% effective September 21, 2016. The maximum rating for this condition has been granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right wrist DJD, carpal tunnel syndrome, and right shoulder disability are not service-connected as they are not shown to be causally or etiologically related to an in-service event, injury, or disease.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus type 2, heart disability, tumors on the left wrist and back, and tremors in her hands and wrists. The appeal will be remanded to allow for further development of evidence related to these claims.

The Board found that the Veteran's flat feet were not aggravated by service and denied his claims for service connection for acute back pain, right wrist condition, left wrist condition, right knee arthralgia, left knee arthralgia, right ankle sprain, left ankle sprain, and tension headaches.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and prostate cancer. The Board denied service connection for a back disorder, right wrist condition, bilateral arm condition, and bilateral leg condition.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II, bilateral shoulder disability, and bilateral wrist disability were denied as there is no competent evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including coronary artery disease, hypertension, and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since November 6, 2013. Additionally, his need for aid and attendance of another person due to his physical limitations has been established.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current disabilities and active service.