Wrist & hand decisions — 2019

The Board has ordered the case to be remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service-connected right wrist condition and its relationship to her carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's left ankle disability is currently rated at 20 percent, the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5271 for marked limitation of motion. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any other claimed conditions.,Service connection has been granted for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder with panic attacks, and alcohol use disorder), sleep apnea, low back disorder, left hip disorder, right hip disorder, left knee disorder, and left lower extremity radiculopathy. Service connection was denied for the remaining conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various knee and foot disabilities due to inadequate examination records, and to obtain additional VA treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether obesity caused or aggravated the Veteran's fall, which led to his right wrist injury. The Veteran's service-connected left knee condition is also under consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right wrist, left wrist, and low back disabilities due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions due to incomplete records from the Veteran's period of service in the Republic of Vietnam.

Your right wrist disability and lumbar spine disability have been rated based on their current severity. However, your case is being sent back for further review as there are some issues that need to be addressed.

The Veteran's migraine headaches have been rated at the maximum schedular rating of 50 percent effective November 29, 2018. The Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted due to the frequency and severity of her prostrating attacks.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and opinion regarding the Veteran's claims of service connection for his neck, left knee, right shoulder, and right wrist conditions.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is rated at 10 percent, the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5215 for limitation of motion. The Board found no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating exacerbations to warrant a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not suffer additional disability due to VA medical treatment, including intentional infliction of mental and emotional distress, twisted toes, failure by VA employees to provide foot treatment from 2001 through 2007, incorrect diagnosis of lupus, or failure and/or refusal to diagnose and treat angioedema.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for COPD, lung cancer, hypertension, and left wrist disability have been denied. The claim for service connection for COPD was reopened based on new evidence but still not substantiated. Lung cancer is also not supported by the evidence as related to service. Hypertension and left wrist disability are both denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional evidence and a new vocational rehabilitation evaluation considering his current service-connected disabilities.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for vision problems and bilateral upper extremity nerve disorders (claimed as carpal tunnel syndrome) based on new and material evidence. However, these claims are being remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records and other development that may be needed before a decision can be made.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for left hand numbness was reopened, but the Board found no new or material evidence to support this claim. The claims for service connection for left hand carpal tunnel syndrome and hypertension were denied as there is insufficient evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's body lesions and cysts are at least as likely as not related to her service-connected eczema.,Service connection is granted for diabetic neuropathy of the right lower extremity, left lower extremity, and body lesions and cysts.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unemployable, and the Board has granted a TDIU.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including right shoulder condition, left wrist condition, back condition, right knee condition, skin condition, sleep disturbance, kidney condition, bladder condition, and psychiatric condition. The claims are not supported by evidence of in-service onset or a nexus to service.

The Veteran's service connection claim for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is granted as the evidence shows continuous symptomatology from service through to February 2002, when he was diagnosed with the condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for new VA opinions regarding the etiology of his hearing loss, tinnitus, and arm disabilities. The claims for sleep apnea are also being remanded.