Wrist & hand decisions — 2019

The Board has granted service connection for left and right carpal tunnel disorders, finding that they are related to the Veteran's active service due to aggravation by his service-connected back disability.

The Board has not fully addressed the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hand disability, including his diagnosed conditions and potential secondary service connection. The case is being remanded to provide an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's tinnitus, MDD with alcohol substance abuse, and right ear hearing loss have been granted service connection. However, the effective dates for these conditions are October 11, 2016.,The claims of service connection for tendinitis, left ear hearing loss, glaucoma, a thoracolumbar spine disability, COPD, hypertension, carpal tunnel syndrome, sleep apnea, and stomach ulcer remain pending. Further development is needed to determine the current status of these conditions.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection for a right wrist disability and remanded the remaining issues. The Veteran's claim to reopen his right knee disability is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for degenerative changes of the right wrist, left knee, and right knee were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist and an increased rating for patellofemoral dysfunction of the right knee, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder, right elbow with CTS, left wrist with CTS, and right ankle conditions. Service connection was also denied for dry eye condition.,Service connection for bilateral pes planus is remanded.

The Veteran's migraine headaches have been rated at 50% since January 2018. The Board has granted an initial rating of 50% for her migraines, finding that they are productive of very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks with severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations regarding his psychiatric disorder, alcohol abuse, and left wrist disability.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities was denied as there is no evidence that her conditions render her bedridden or unable to care for herself without assistance.

The Veteran's right wrist condition, including scaphoid resection and carpal fusion, was not incurred during active service. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support a connection to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right wrist condition is related to his service-connected fracture of metacarpal right finger with postoperative surgical scar, and remands for further examination.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient development of medical records and the need for additional opinions regarding service connection.

The Veteran's appeals for effective dates prior to March 12, 2015 for service connection of traumatic arthritis of the left thumb, residuals of carpal tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity, and deviated nasal septum have been denied.,The RO assigned an effective date of March 12, 2015, for each grant of service connection. The Veteran did not file any claims prior to this date that would support earlier effective dates.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left wrist and left ankle disorders due to incomplete medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations. The claims for increased disability ratings are also being remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected left wrist disability, finding that there is no evidence of ankylosis at any point during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for sleep apnea has been granted. The claims for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and VA outpatient dental treatment have been remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral knee and left wrist disabilities are not service-connected, but the right shoulder disability is granted.,No effective date was provided in this decision.

The Veteran's claimed conditions of dizziness, fatigue, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, migraines, colon and prostate polyps, and bilateral upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome were not found to be related to his military service.,Service connection was denied for all the issues raised in this decision.