Wrist & hand decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for left knee osteoarthritis, but the other issues related to right knee, left wrist, and right ankle disabilities are remanded due to outstanding STRs.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied claims of service connection for insomnia, right knee condition, and bilateral shoulder pain is granted.,The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for a right foot condition is denied.

The Veteran's chronic headaches began in service and continue to this day.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is secondary to his service-connected low back disability.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and denied service connection for obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the Veteran's symptoms were present since service. The denial of secondary service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is based on lack of evidence linking PTSD to the condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, left foot pain and numbness, and right foot pain and numbness due to a lack of current disability evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have worsened, and she is being asked to provide updated evidence or be examined by VA.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, increased ratings for left knee disability and bilateral hearing loss, and initial compensable rating for a wrist disability were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support service connection for diabetes mellitus or establish a higher rating for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment since July 2009. The Board has granted a TDIU effective as of July 2009, but denied the claim prior to that date.

The Veteran's PTSD symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating than 50 percent. The Board found that his occupational and social impairment is best described as 'occupational and social impairment with reduced reliability and productivity.' For entitlement to TDIU, the evidence shows that the Veteran was last employed in April 2014 due to his service-connected disabilities, which meet the criteria for a TDIU.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for various conditions, including ischemic heart disease, peripheral vascular disease, carpal tunnel syndrome, and neuropathy, have been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the appeal process.

The Board has determined that the Veteran did not sustain a left ankle injury or disease in service, nor does he have any current diagnosis of a left ankle disorder. Therefore, his claim for service connection for a left ankle disorder is denied.,Service treatment records are negative for any complaints, diagnoses, or treatment related to varicose veins. The Board has determined that the Veteran's varicose veins are not related to service and therefore his claim for service connection for bilateral lower extremity varicose veins is denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist and cervical spine condition, both secondary to a right shoulder disability. The case is being sent back for additional VA etiology opinions.

The Board has restored the Veteran's service connection and disability compensation for left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, which was previously severed based on clear and unmistakable evidence (CUE). The decision finds that there is no clear and unmistakable error in the original grant of service connection.

The Board has remanded the case to consider whether an extra-schedular rating is warranted for the Veteran's right wrist disability, including for derivative entitlement to a TDIU. The Veteran reported severe interference with his work as a carpenter and construction worker due to his wrist disability.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for residuals of cholecystectomy is denied due to nonsymptomatic condition. The claims for ratings for ganglion cysts and lipomas are remanded as further evaluation is needed.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a cervical spine condition. The case is remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right knee disability, right shoulder disorder, right wrist disorder, and left ankle disorder. The appeal was also remanded for further action on other claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left wrist condition, plantar fasciitis, right ankle condition, and tinnitus as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to new evidence received since his last Statement of the Case. The Veteran is requested to provide information about any recent medical care providers and updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's service-connected right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, carpal tunnel syndrome, and residuals of a right wrist ganglion cyst do not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.