Wrist & hand decisions — 2019

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings, effective dates, and service connection have been remanded due to the need for further development or clarification of certain issues.

The Veteran's right wrist scar is painful and has been rated at 10 percent throughout the period of this claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence. The reduction of his back disability rating from 40% to 20% has also been reversed.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about the nature of the Veteran's upper extremity symptoms and outstanding VA treatment records. The Veteran is seeking service connection for a neurologic disability, which he claims includes peripheral neuropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome. He believes his current symptoms are separate from his previously diagnosed carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected left wrist disability, scars of the left wrist, carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist, and residuals of a fracture to the right long finger are all denied.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU is also denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various musculoskeletal disorders, including cervical and lumbar spine disorders, bilateral ankle, hip, knee, shoulder, and wrist disorders. The VA examinations are needed to address continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's psoriatic arthritis and its relationship to his carpal tunnel syndrome and right ulnar neuropathy/cubital tunnel syndrome. Additional medical records are needed, as well as an addendum opinion from a VA physician.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was reopened, and it is now granted. Other claims were denied or remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted effective July 10, 2015. The effective date is based on the fact that his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation as of this date.

The Veteran's right wrist disability, which includes a fracture and degenerative joint disease, is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board has granted an increased rating to this level.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error, requiring additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for malaria was reopened and granted. The claim for service connection for right wrist disability was denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that there is no evidence of such condition in service or within one year after separation. The Board also found insufficient evidence to establish continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has denied service connection for cataracts, COPD, aortic aneurysm, right wrist tendonitis, and paroxysmal tachycardia as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service or herbicide exposure. The Veteran's claim for service connection of paroxysmal tachycardia is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new vocational rehabilitation evaluation to consider his current service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to pursue a nursing degree.

The Board has dismissed appeals for higher ratings for the Veteran's right wrist condition and bilateral hearing loss, as well as service connection claims.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of PTSD has been granted. The Board also remanded the cases for further development and examination, including for radiculitis, PTSD, and wrist disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including vomiting, anemia, back pain, cataracts of the eyes, vitreous floaters, left wrist disorder, right foot disorder, left foot disorder, kidney disorder, thyroid disorder, and allergies. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for her psychiatric condition and service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome was granted. The Veteran now has a 70 percent disability rating for her major depressive disorder with anxious distress, effective from March 23, 2017. She also received service connection for left and right carpal tunnel syndromes.

All claims for service connection or increased ratings have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeals.