Wrist & hand decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral elbow, wrist, and knee disabilities under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317 as undiagnosed illnesses or chronic multisymptom illnesses due to an inadequate May 2016 VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right wrist extensor tendonitis and left knee chondromalacia were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on functional loss or ankylosis.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for valvular heart disease, effective September 1, 2013. The gallbladder disability is rated as noncompensable.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if service connection can be established for left hand/wrist disability, left achilles tendonitis, and acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the evidence regarding whether the Veteran has bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and its relationship to service or diabetes.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea had its onset during service and is granted. The Board also found that the Veteran has right knee, ankle, and foot disorders, a right wrist condition (including ganglion cyst and carpal tunnel syndrome), hemorrhoids, a scar on his thigh, and residuals of skin cancer of the left cheek/nose, all related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and bilateral thumb degenerative joint disease, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right wrist disability and right hand tendinosis, other than scaphoid ligament strain of the right thumb. The evidence does not support current diagnoses or chronic conditions related to these issues.

The Veteran's bilateral flat feet, insomnia, right ankle disability, low back disability, bilateral hip disabilities, and bilateral wrist disabilities are not service-connected.,The Veteran’s current insomnia is considered a component of her service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral tinea pedis and onychomycosis, as well as his TBI claim, were denied. The left wrist strain claim is being remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral wrist pain, pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), right knee pain, and right leg shin splints as new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The appeals to reopen claims of service connection for left wrist disability, low back disability, and residuals of skull fracture with seizures are denied. The appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for bowel disability is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right shoulder, elbow, and wrist disorders due to new evidence received more than one year after previous decisions. The Veteran's symptoms have been documented in lay statements and medical records.

The Veteran's rib injury is not service-connected. The effective date for the right great toe injury was denied as no communication prior to June 23, 2011 could be construed as a request to reopen the claim.,Service connection for left shoulder acromioclavicular separation with residual impingement and laceration ulnar aspect left wrist is not service-connected. The effective date for right great toe injury was denied due to lack of communication prior to June 23, 2011.

The claims for service connection have been remanded due to the submission of new and material evidence. The Veteran's right wrist, left ring or little finger disabilities, obstructive sleep apnea, hallux valgus of the right great toe, and prostate cancer are being reviewed again.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, parasitic bowel disease (now claimed as IBS), and several musculoskeletal issues. The appeals are pending due to insufficient evidence or lack of a nexus between the conditions and service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability evaluation for his service-connected right wrist disability is denied as he does not have unfavorable ankylosis of the right wrist.

The Veteran's left lumbar radiculopathy is granted with a rating of 20 percent. The Veteran's lumbar spine disability, GERD, right hand carpal tunnel syndrome, thyroid problems, and diabetes mellitus are denied. Service connection for right lumbar radiculopathy is granted.

The Board denied service connection for thyroid disability, left wrist disability, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and back disability due to lack of evidence showing a current disability or link to service.,Service connection was not granted as there is no medical evidence of a chronic condition during service or within one year after separation.

The Veteran's asthma was granted service connection as it is presumed to have existed prior to service and not aggravated by service. Other claims for various conditions were denied.