Wrist & hand decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions have been denied. The Board found no current diagnoses or evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation for the claimed conditions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a right wrist condition, left ankle condition, left wrist condition, neck condition, and psychiatric disorders. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions began during service or are related to in-service injuries.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including left elbow, knee, ankle, carpal tunnel syndromes, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include depression and PTSD), have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or in-service injury that relates to these conditions.,There are no indications of any service-connected disabilities that may be aggravated by the claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection for traumatic brain injury. The other claims of service connection have been denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and evaluation due to inadequate previous examinations, including those related to his right hand disability and service-connected right wrist sprain.

The Board has granted a clothing allowance for the Veteran's right wrist/hand splint issued in 2015 due to wear and tear on his clothing, finding that the custom-made splints caused damage.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right wrist disability and an initial compensable rating for his left shoulder scar, finding that there was no evidence to support these claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left wrist disability, right thumb laceration residuals, left index finger disability, left knee disability, right ankle disability, Eustachian tube disability, gastrointestinal disability, skin disability, herpes zoster, and disability manifested by chest pains due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his left wrist and ring finger fractures are being remanded. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is also being remanded due to the need for additional information regarding stressors.

The Board has determined that further development is needed for the Veteran's right wrist and carpal tunnel syndrome claims, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The remand also includes consideration of whether an award of total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) should be granted.

The Board has found that the Veteran's dry eye syndrome is aggravated by her service-connected bipolar disorder. The claims for sleep apnea, right and left carpal tunnel syndromes, and tardive dyskinesia are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's increased ratings for right wrist disability and bilateral hearing loss have been denied as the evidence does not support a higher rating based on current symptoms.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen a claim of service connection for right hand CTS was granted, and he is now receiving a rating of 40 percent. The effective date for this grant has been set at July 9, 2014.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities due to his withdrawal of those claims prior to a decision being made.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate VA examinations and conflicting medical evidence regarding ankylosis of the right wrist. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right wrist disability will be returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD is granted as service-connected. The remaining claims for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, seizure disability, blood clots in left hand and leg, left knee disability, sterility, and dental disability are remanded for further development.

Service connection is granted for lipoma scars of neck. Temporary total ratings are denied for left shoulder and right shoulder surgeries. A temporary total rating is granted for April 2015 right shoulder surgery. The Veteran's multiple lipomas with residual scars, including newly service-connected lipoma scars of neck, are rated as a single disability. Other claims are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension to include aid and attendance and housebound benefits is denied as he does not meet the criteria for such benefits due to his ability to perform daily activities independently.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various conditions due to the need for further examination and evaluation. The Veteran's symptoms are related to in-service motorcycle accidents, but there is no medical evidence of a diagnosis or etiology for rheumatoid arthritis.

The Veteran's anemia is related to her service-connected hysterectomy and fibroid removal.,There is no current ganglion cyst of the right wrist, and the Veteran does not have a compensable rating for ovarian cyst with fibroids.