Wrist & hand decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 14, 2015 for the grant of service connection for left wrist median nerve entrapment at the carpal tunnel was denied. The Board also found that the Veteran's right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome claim should be remanded due to a lack of nexus opinion addressing causation and aggravation by his service-connected left hand condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various upper extremity and cervical spine disabilities due to a lack of an examination addressing whether these conditions are related to his service-connected right thumb disability or if they are aggravated by it. The Veteran also needs a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right thumb disability.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right and left elbow braces are entitled to annual clothing allowances. The issue of a clothing allowance for topical pain medication (steroid cream) is remanded due to unclear reference in the SOC.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of any current right hand disability, including carpal tunnel syndrome. A new VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's current condition is related to his service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals to reopen claims of service connection for various conditions and seeks a compensable rating for a right buttock hematoma, as well as the appeals seeking increased ratings for knee disabilities. The Veteran's representative withdrew his appeals in these matters.

The Veteran withdrew all of his appeals regarding the service connection for left knee disability, left hand carpal tunnel syndrome, and other conditions. The Board has dismissed the appeal as there are no remaining issues to consider.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including rating reductions and earlier effective dates. The specific claims include right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, chronic thoracolumbar spine strain, cervical spine strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, major depressive disorder, right ankle posttraumatic degenerative changes, left hand scar, right hip degenerative joint disease, ear nerve damage, left wrist flexor tendinitis, right wrist flexor tendinitis, tinnitus, left knee condition, bilateral hearing loss, sleep disorder, arthritis of the wrists and hands associated with service-connected carpel tunnel syndrome, type II diabetes mellitus. The Board has not reached a decision on these claims at this time.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (MDD and PTSD) is granted service connection. The left wrist fracture, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are all rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for residuals of right wrist fracture, left wrist disability, sinus disability, and atypical chest pain (undiagnosed sharp heart pain) were all denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (adjustment disorder).

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete medical records and an inadequate VA examination. The Veteran's right wrist disability is being reviewed again with additional evidence.

The Veteran's left wrist pain is denied as secondary to a cervical disorder.,Service connection for the residuals of colic, claimed as upper abdominal pain, is granted.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for diabetes mellitus due to exposure to chemicals during service in Greece. The Veteran must be scheduled for an examination by an appropriate clinician to determine if his current diabetes is related to his service.

The Board has remanded the claims for left hand carpal tunnel syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, and psychiatric disability due to in-service events. The Veteran is required to undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons and bases for discounting the Veteran's lay assertions of unemployability, as well as insufficient discussion on why he is capable of substantially gainful employment. An updated VA examination is needed to assess the current severity and functional impact of his right ulnar neuropathy.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back condition, left wrist condition with residuals, left ankle condition with residuals, right ankle condition with residuals, and stomach condition. The reasons given include lack of medical evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the right wrist, left wrist, right hand, and left hand due to a lack of evidence showing that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board denied service connection for various knee and wrist disabilities, as well as neuropathy of the lower extremities. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence showing a nexus between her current conditions and active service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues related to his service-connected disabilities, including cervical spine disability, cervical radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, neck scars, status post right wrist bone fusion, sensory neuropathy of the lower left extremity, and bone graft scars. The Board dismissed these claims as a result.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and a compensable disability rating are being remanded due to the need for further medical examinations.