Wrist & hand decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to conflicting findings regarding the Veteran's right hand arthritis and its relationship to service.

The Veteran's left eye scar is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has found that a higher rating is not warranted.,For his service-connected right wrist disability, erectile dysfunction (secondary to PTSD), and back disability, additional evidence is needed as the current VA examinations are inadequate.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete development and need for an examination to determine if a right wrist disability is related to service.

The Board has determined that there are pre-decisional duty to assist errors in the decisions regarding cervical condition, menstrual disorder, and lower abdomen condition. The Veteran's right wrist and hand condition also need further examination as the current VA examination is inadequate.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining English translations of Spanish documents and arranging for VA medical opinions regarding his carpal tunnel syndrome, migraines, and radiculopathy.

The Board has denied service connection for a bilateral foot disability, left wrist disability or bilateral CTS, and right wrist tendonitis. The Veteran's current conditions are not considered to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for a left eye disability was withdrawn, and his increased rating claims were dismissed due to lack of evidence supporting higher ratings.

The Veteran's appeals for an increased rating and a temporary total rating were dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in July 2019. The claim for TDIU prior to May 8, 2015 was denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence and the need for updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, arthritis of the left knee, and left CTS have been granted. The decision also denied service connection for these conditions.

Service connection granted for low back disability, cervical spine/neck disability, migraine headaches, and left wrist disability.,The Veteran's current conditions are related to his service.

The Board has dismissed all claims due to the lack of an adequate substantive appeal for each issue.

The Veteran's initial evaluations for post scaphoid fracture of the left wrist and residuals of right ankle sprain have been denied.,The Veteran's back condition has been remanded due to conflicting findings regarding neurological manifestations. The hypothyroidism evaluation is also remanded as the Veteran failed to appear for an examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for his left wrist arthritis is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and an examination.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for arthritis of the right wrist is being remanded due to inadequate examination and procedural issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for headaches and left wrist disability due to insufficient evidence in their previous evaluations.

The Board denied service connection for ulnar neuropathy of the right wrist and granted a 40 percent rating, but no higher, for lumbosacral spine disability (back disability) at all times from October 18, 2012.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right wrist disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link between his current condition and his in-service injury.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected left lower extremity tarsal tunnel syndrome is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II (diabetes) is being remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine its onset during service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart disorder is being remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine its onset during service.,The Veteran's claim for residuals of stroke is being remanded due to the inextricability with her other claims, including service connection for a heart disorder and sarcoidosis.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraine headaches is being remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine its onset during service.,The Veteran's claim for right lower extremity disability, to include as secondary to service-connected LLE tarsal tunnel syndrome, is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion on etiology.,The Veteran's claim for sinusitis is being remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine its onset during service.,The Veteran's claim for sarcoidosis is being remanded due to the inextricability with her other claims, including service connection for a heart disorder and sarcoidosis.,The Veteran's claim for left hand carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is being remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine its onset during service.,The Veteran's claim for left shoulder rotator cuff (RTC) tendonitis is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion on etiology.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before a decision on the merits may be made regarding the issues of entitlement to higher initial ratings for PTSD, TBI, and an increased rating for left wrist disability. The Veteran was last provided a VA examination relating to his PTSD in April 2010, over nine years ago, relating to his TBI in June 2010, over nine years ago, and relating to his left wrist in March 2013, or six years ago. During the August 2019 Board hearing, the Veteran testified that his service-connected PTSD, TBI, and left wrist disability have increased in severity. In light of the Veteran’s assertions, new VA examinations are required so that the current nature and severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities may be determined.