Wrist & hand decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions, including myxoid liposarcoma and lymphedema. The issues were not addressed based on a presumption due to exposure to ionizing radiation or other specific service environment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability, chronic right hip strain, limitation of extension of the right hip, and limitation of flexion of the right hip due to lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's claim for earlier effective dates for his right hip disabilities is also remanded as there is no clear indication that he had a right hip disability prior to March 7, 2017.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that there was no evidence of a disease or injury to the hands or wrists in service and that the current diagnosis is not related to service.,The Board also denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine. The Board found that there was no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis, which would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal.

Service connection is granted for cervical spine and right shoulder disabilities.,Service connection is granted for a respiratory disability (mild restrictive lung disease).,Service connection is denied for right hand carpal tunnel syndrome with arthritis, as there is no current diagnosis or medical nexus to service.,Service connection is denied for chronic headaches, as the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis and there is insufficient evidence of a link to service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and other ear disorders. The remaining issues are also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions are inadequate to decide the appeal regarding service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and its aggravation by diabetes mellitus. The case is being remanded for further clarification of these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation as of June 1, 2008.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Issues regarding bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, and right wrist disability are remanded for further examination and analysis.

The Veteran's left wrist fracture residuals are rated at 10 percent, and his CTS is also rated at 10 percent. Service connection has been granted for lumbar and cervical spinal stenosis and arthritis.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including left knee disorder, sleep apnea, right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, and fibromyalgia. The claims are being remanded for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claims for a temporary total rating and an increased evaluation were remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for left wrist disability, tendon repair to the left fifth finger, and bilateral hearing loss are being remanded due to new evidence and need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's right carpal tunnel syndrome is granted a 30 percent rating, but not higher. The appeal for an increased rating for left carpel tunnel syndrome and earlier effective date for PTSD are dismissed.

The Board denied service connection for right and left wrist disabilities, as well as a claim of extreme fatigue. The Veteran argued that these conditions were related to an in-service injury from a water hose incident.,There is no evidence linking the current wrist conditions or fatigue directly to service.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was reduced from 50 percent to 30 percent, but the rating was restored.,The Veteran is found unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities and receives a TDIU.,SMC based on loss of use of one or both feet is denied as there is no anatomical loss or loss of use of a hand due to service-connected disabilities.,SMC based on loss of use of the left hand is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis, bilateral feet and hands have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for left wrist and left hand disabilities has also been denied due to lack of a diagnosed condition.,The Veteran's claim for fatigue was denied as he does not meet the criteria for a chronic disability manifested by fatigue.,Radiculopathy/neuropathy claims have all been denied, with no current evidence of such conditions in his upper or lower extremities.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of hypertension, left carpal tunnel syndrome, and lumbosacral degenerative disease was granted as his substantive appeal was received within 60 days of the RO notifying him that he did not receive a December 27, 2016 SOC.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities due to inadequate examinations and because of potential overlap with other conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding her sleep disorder and wrist conditions. The issues of right and left wrist conditions are also being reviewed.