Wrist & hand decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for liver damage, AC joint arthritis of the left shoulder, carpal tunnel syndrome of the right and left wrist, degenerative disease of the left knee, degenerative changes of the right knee, chronic cervical strain with radiculopathy/neuropathy, lumbar strain, allergic rhinitis, and PTSD have all been denied. The Veteran's claim for prurigo is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current right wrist disorder is related to his service. The Veteran needs a VA examination to determine if his condition began in service or is otherwise linked to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information regarding the nature and cause of any right wrist disability. The Veteran needs a new VA examination to determine if he has a right wrist disability, its likely causes, and whether it is related to his service-connected spine disability.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and review, including service connection claims for various conditions. The initial compensable rating claim for GERD was denied as the Veteran's symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right lower extremity disability, residuals of brain tumor, and right upper extremity disability (carpal tunnel syndrome), finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral wrist disability, including arthritis, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or disease and noting that any current wrist problems are not related to his time in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right wrist disability and low back disability due to outstanding treatment medical records not in evidence. The Veteran needs to provide private treatment records, and VA examinations should be obtained.

For the period prior to March 14, 2018, an evaluation of 10 percent for right carpal tunnel syndrome is denied. For the period from March 14, 2018, a 30 percent evaluation is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right wrist, and right hip conditions due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran asserts that her current conditions are secondary to her service-connected ankle disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating for his right wrist disability and bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete records and need for further medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as radiculopathy of the left lower extremity. The Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is being examined to determine if it is related to an in-service injury or disease, and whether it is secondary to a service-connected disability. The radiculopathy claim is also being remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal for high cholesterol was dismissed. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that his low back, left wrist, right wrist, right leg, left leg, or hypertension disabilities began during service or were otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,For all other issues, the Veteran's appeals for low back disability, left wrist disability, right wrist disability, right leg disability, and left leg disability were denied. The Board concluded that there was no evidence of a chronic condition in service, no established continuity of symptomatology since service, and no causal relationship between any current disabilities and an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's high blood pressure is granted a 10 percent rating, effective September 26, 2017. Service connection for colon polyps and diverticulosis are denied. The Board remanded the issues of service connection for deviated septum, left carpal tunnel syndrome, residuals of vasectomy, diabetes, hemorrhoids, and hiatal hernia.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for tuberculosis. The claims for service connection for right shoulder, bilateral wrist/forearm, bilateral knee, and bilateral hearing loss conditions are remanded for further development.

The Board has restored a 30 percent rating for carpal tunnel syndrome in the right wrist as of May 1, 2017 due to improper reduction from 30 percent to 10 percent.

The Board has denied reopening of previously denied claims for service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine disorder, bilateral knee and foot disorders, heart disorder, eye injury residuals, Meniere’s Syndrome, degenerative arthritis of the upper extremities, left shoulder injury, right wrist disorder, fractured ribs, ear disorder (excluding hearing loss), tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, bleeding disorder, and diabetes mellitus. The Board also remanded for further action on a claim for service connection for a left wrist disorder.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected right wrist condition has been remanded due to the failure to report for a scheduled VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder was denied. The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for rheumatoid arthritis of the wrists, hands, left ankle, right ankle, left knee, and right knee were all denied.

The Veteran's explosive disorder and adjustment disorder are found to be service-connected.,PTSD is also found to be service-connected. Prostate cancer, left big toe disorder, low back disorder, GERD, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome were not found to be service-connected.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right wrist osteoarthritis and strain are related to an in-service injury, granting service connection for these conditions.