Wrist & hand decisions — 2019

The Veteran's death was caused by multiple drug intoxication, with service-connected PTSD contributing substantially or materially to the cause of death. The Board granted service connection for the cause of the Veteran’s death and service-connected burial benefits.

The appeal for right ear hearing loss is dismissed. The appeals for the low back disorder, left hip disorder, left ankle disorder, throat disorder, and right wrist disorder are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hemorrhoids, right testicular spermatoceles, and left wrist condition due to the need for additional development. The claims will be reconsidered after this new evidence is obtained.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's vocational rehabilitation and employment (VR&E) benefits claim requires additional evidence, including a new vocational rehabilitation evaluation considering his current symptomatology related to service-connected disabilities. The AOJ is instructed to obtain this information and associate it with the claims file.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's left wrist disability is related to his military service.

The Veteran's left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome is being remanded for a VA examination to determine if it is proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's migraine headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity, carpal tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity, and obstructive sleep apnea are granted as secondary to his service-connected type I diabetes mellitus. The Veteran is also granted a 10 percent disability rating for his left ankle scar.

The Veteran's service connection claims for arthritis of the right knee, arthralgia of multiple joints, and CTS have all been denied as there is no evidence that these conditions began during active service or are otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's combination of service-connected and nonservice-connected disabilities precludes him from obtaining substantially gainful employment, thus meeting the criteria for nonservice-connected pension.

The Veteran's right little finger sprain is granted a compensable rating, but the service connection for his right shoulder disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder (anxiety and depression) are also granted.,Service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome is denied as it is not related to service or secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD and remanded several other issues including increased ratings for his wrist and ankle conditions, as well as a TDIU determination.

The Board has withdrawn the appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the remaining issues of service connection for various conditions. The Veteran's claims for these conditions are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for VA examinations.

The Veteran's right wrist sprain has been rated at 10 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating as there was no indication of ankylosis.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's claims for nonservice-connected disability pension benefits, TDIU, and a compensable rating for multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities due to lack of jurisdiction over the pension claim.

The Board is remanding the cases for readjudication under the new regulations due to a pre-decisional error in using the incorrect standard.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, sinusitis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), as well as the claim for an initial compensable rating for tension headaches due to lack of proper consideration in prior decisions.

The Board dismissed the appeal because the Veteran withdrew it before a decision was made.

Your claim for service connection for right wrist disability has been granted, and the issue is no longer before the Board.

The Board denied service connection for right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, left shoulder disability, and right shoulder disability. The Veteran's appeal is pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine if his low back and right knee conditions are related to service. The claim for OSA remains pending as there is no current diagnosis in the record. The increased rating and effective date claims for a wrist fracture also need further examination.