Wrist & hand decisions — 2019

The Board has dismissed the appeals seeking service connection for various conditions, including cervical spine condition, lumbosacral strain (also claimed as thoracic spine condition), left knee condition, right knee condition, left wrist condition, right wrist condition, right shoulder condition, and left ankle condition. The appeal is dismissed due to a lack of a valid substantive appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left wrist disability has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. However, his claims for traumatic arthritis, nonunion of the left carpal navicular, and scapholunate advanced collapse are remanded as additional medical examination is needed to determine their etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral wrist carpal tunnel syndrome and a back disability, finding that further medical examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right wrist disability and remanded the issue of entitlement to a higher rating for right carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for gastroenteritis, right wrist strain, and residuals of lumbar strain (claimed low back condition) have been denied. The application to reopen the claim for hypertension has been granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as his representative withdrew all issues on appeal in September 2019.

The Veteran's service connection for type II diabetes mellitus (DM) is granted. The issues of secondary service connection for peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, and carpal tunnel syndrome are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for further examination and evaluation. The issues include bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, left knee disability, right knee disability, carpal tunnel of the upper extremities, cervical spine disability, and shoulder disabilities.

The Veteran's initial and increased ratings for right and left carpal tunnel syndrome are granted. Service connection for paresthesias of the upper extremities and chronic fatigue syndrome is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for left wrist fracture was denied as there is no evidence of functional impairment.,Service connection for the left wrist scar was also denied because there is no evidence that the scars occurred during service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, sleep apnea, a left wrist disorder, and vasectomy residuals were denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of PTSD or other psychological disorders, and the VA treatment records did not support such a finding. For the remaining issues, additional development is needed as there are insufficient medical opinions to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's petitions to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tuberculosis, problems with fingers on both hands, carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist, carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist, sickle cell anemia trait, and diabetes mellitus, type II. The appeals were denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment since November 15, 2011.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus type II, foot disorders, erectile dysfunction, psychiatric disorder, prostate condition, and peripheral neuropathy. The Board found no evidence of a current disability in any of these areas or a causal link to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left knee, wrist, hand, and head trauma with scar disabilities are not related to service. The case is being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these claims prior to the promulgation of a decision.,The Veteran also withdrew his claim seeking an earlier effective date for tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hemorrhoids, back disability, left shoulder disability, left knee disability, and left carpal tunnel syndrome due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for various service-connected disabilities, including psychiatric disorders, carpal tunnel syndromes, and respiratory issues, are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions. The appeals will be reconsidered based on new evidence and a thorough review of the Veteran's service records.

The Veteran's right foot disability is rated at 40 percent since March 30, 2008.,Higher initial ratings for bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy and back and wrist disabilities are denied.,SMC based on loss of use of the left lower extremity and need of regular aid and attendance of another person is denied.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection and increased ratings. The Veteran's gout, right wrist disability, obstructive sleep apnea, knee and ankle degenerative joint diseases, and residuals of ganglion cyst removal are all remanded.