Wrist & hand decisions — 2019

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including for his right ankle disability, sleep apnea, bilateral wrist disabilities, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral arm disability, neck disability, and back disability due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left wrist disability and a lumbosacral cervical strain (back disability), finding that there was no current diagnosis of either condition, or evidence linking them to service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and scheduling an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to his failure to appear for a scheduled DRO hearing. The Veteran will be given another opportunity to present his case at a rescheduled hearing.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection and increased rating for her right wrist disability was granted. She is now rated at 30% for her right wrist status post scaphoid nonunion fracture repair.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the merits have been withdrawn. The Board has remanded three issues: sleep apnea, residuals of MRSA staph infection, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for high blood pressure and right carpal tunnel syndrome are being remanded due to pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors.,Service connection has not been established for the claimed conditions of left tennis elbow, right tennis elbow, left carpal tunnel syndrome, skin cancer, or high blood pressure.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings and service connection due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran is required to undergo examinations to determine the current severity of his right wrist, eczematoid dermatitis, pseudofolliculitis barbae, PTSD, insomnia, bipolar disorder, and left wrist conditions.

The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the left and right upper extremities, as well as her TMJ pain syndrome, have been granted increased ratings. The gynecological disability has also been granted a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection were denied. The claim for an increased rating was denied due to the Veteran failing to report for a scheduled VA examination, and the claim for service connection was denied as there is no evidence of in-service incurrence or nexus.

The Board denied service connection for fibromyalgia, arthritis, a left wrist fracture, residuals of head injury, varicose veins, and headaches as the evidence did not establish that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.,No specific in-service event was identified to support claims for these disabilities.

The claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and a lumbar spine disorder are being remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board dismissed the appeals as the Veteran requested to withdraw them prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and development of records. The earlier effective date claim for left wrist tenosynovitis is not currently before the Board.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The right wrist disability and bilateral hearing loss claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin condition is reopened due to new and material evidence. The claims of service connection for bilateral wrist conditions are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grant is remanded due to a duty-to-assist error. The Veteran needs an examination to assess his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to use aids such as braces, crutches, canes or a wheelchair.

The Veteran's Chiari malformation and related conditions are remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding the diagnosis and etiology of her condition.,The Veteran's migraines, right foot condition, and other secondary service connection claims are also remanded for additional development.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's trigger finger, right third digit is granted. The right wrist disability issue is remanded for further examination and opinion.