Wrist & hand decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left wrist disability was reopened and granted, with the issue of entitlement to a rating assigned being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, right wrist condition (gout), polycystic kidney disease, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, type II due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that her condition did not begin during her active duty and is not related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical records and a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left wrist fracture due to lack of evidence showing that his pre-existing condition was aggravated by military service. The Veteran could not be examined because he is incarcerated.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right carpal tunnel syndrome was dismissed. The Board also remanded the issues regarding service connection for an eye condition, left knee patellofemoral syndrome, and migraine headaches.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The claims for left wrist injury, left knee condition, right knee condition, and hearing loss are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right wrist, left wrist, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities due to a lack of current diagnoses or functional impairment.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on his left ankle, left wrist, and hemorrhoids disabilities are being remanded due to the need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal and eye disabilities due to insufficient evidence of record. The claims are being returned for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and affording the Veteran with appropriate VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), residuals of ulnar vein thrombosis, left upper extremity, and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), left upper extremity.

The Board denied a compensable evaluation for excision of ganglion cyst of the left wrist and denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's sole service-connected condition did not meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for residuals of healed injury right wrist is denied as the evidence does not show ankylosis or more than limitation of motion.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is denied because there is no current diagnosis of these conditions, and the preponderance of the evidence does not support their onset during service.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's left wrist disorder, to include scarring, is not currently service-connected and requires further examination.

The claims for service connection have been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The cases are now remanded for further development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations.

Effective dates of December 5, 2007 have been granted for right carpal tunnel syndrome, right wrist chronic sprain, degenerative arthritis of the spine (claimed as degenerative disease, lower back), bilateral pes planus (claimed as left foot and right foot condition), temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, and tinnitus.,Effective dates prior to July 3, 2014 have been denied for allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis ethoidectomy, maxillary sinus reconstruction and polypectomies, radiculopathy of the right lower extremity (claimed as pain, numbness), and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity (claimed as pain, numbness).

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development and examination to determine if the Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is related to his service-connected foot conditions or any other in-service events.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for right wrist repetitive overuse syndrome due to new and material evidence. The claims of service connection for left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, right knee limitation of flexion with arthritis, and right knee residuals of trauma are remanded for further development. Additionally, a TDIU claim is inextricably intertwined and must be addressed.

The Veteran's allergic reactions and bilateral feet condition are not service-connected.,The Veteran's sinusitis is not service-connected.,For the entire appeal period, the Veteran’s lumbar spine disability is manifested by at worst forward flexion to 50 degrees. The criteria for a higher rating have not been met.,For the entire appeal period, the Veteran’s left lower extremity radiculopathy is manifested by at worst moderately severe incomplete paralysis. The criteria for a higher rating have not been met.,For the entire appeal period, the Veteran’s right lower extremity radiculopathy is manifested by at worst moderate incomplete paralysis. The criteria for a higher rating have not been met.,For the entire appeal period, the Veteran’s left knee condition is manifested by at worst frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion. The criteria for a higher rating have not been met.,For the entire appeal period, the Veteran’s right knee traumatic arthritis is manifested by at worst painful motion. The criteria for a higher rating have not been met.,For the entire appeal period, the Veteran’s PTSD is manifested by at worst flattened affect, disturbances of motivation and mood, sleep impairment, depression, anxiety, and difficulty establishing and maintaining work and social relationships. The criteria for a higher rating have not been met.,For the entire appeal period, the Veteran’s left wrist disability is manifested by at worst painful motion. The criteria for a higher rating have not been met.

The Board denied service connection for left and right knee conditions, finding no evidence of chronic disease noted in service or within the applicable presumptive period.,Service connection was also denied for a left forearm condition, with the Board concluding that there is not sufficient evidence to link the current condition to an in-service injury.