Wrist & hand decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The right wrist disability, bilateral hearing loss (left ear only), tinnitus, cervical spine disorder, COPD, IBS, OSA, left hip disorder, headaches, and seizures were not shown in service or are not causally related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation at the aid and attendance or housebound rate, eligibility for assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing, and eligibility for a special home adaptation grant due to conflicting evidence of record regarding her service-connected disabilities' impact on her ability to perform activities of daily living.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his in-service symptoms and current condition.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for hepatitis C has been dismissed.,Service connection was denied for bilateral hip disorder, sinus disorder, headache disorder, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome due to lack of current disabilities or recent diagnoses prior to the filing of a claim.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations for his right shoulder strain, right wrist sprain, and right knee disability due to inadequate examinations and failure to consider all relevant evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for migraine headaches on an extraschedular basis due to the severity and frequency of his symptoms, which have resulted in marked interference with employment.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of left shoulder disorder, right elbow disorder, left elbow disorder, and left wrist disorder as there is no evidence to establish in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology.,The March 2019 VA examination report concluded that the Veteran’s lateral epicondylitis of the right and left elbows, left shoulder strain, and left wrist strain are not related to his service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for left wrist, back, right hip, left knee, and right knee disabilities due to inadequate development of records from Hugo V. Mendoza Soldier and Family Care Center.

The Board found the Veteran's March 2013 Notice of Disagreement (NOD) untimely and denied his claims for service connection. The effective date for sleep apnea was set at March 4, 2013.

The Veteran's lung/respiratory disorder, right and left carpal tunnel syndrome were not found to be service-connected. The claims for these conditions are being remanded.

The Veteran's claim to reopen service connection for low back pain was granted. The claims for increased ratings of left and right wrist disabilities were remanded.

The Veteran's hypertension and right-hand carpal tunnel syndrome were denied increased ratings. The Veteran was granted an increased rating of 60 percent for left-hand carpal tunnel syndrome from October 21, 2014.

The Veteran's hypertension and right-hand carpal tunnel syndrome were denied increased ratings. The Veteran was granted an increased rating of 60 percent for left-hand carpal tunnel syndrome from October 21, 2014.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, right wrist, left wrist, and neck disorders due to potential exposure in Southwest Asia. The Veteran will be asked to provide any outstanding medical records and a VA examination will be scheduled.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral knee disorder and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome due to a lack of VA examination records, as well as potential service connection based on overuse from boxing training and repetitive motions.

The Board has granted a clothing allowance for the left wrist splint used to treat service-connected carpal tunnel syndrome. The right wrist splint, bilateral knee braces, and menthol/methyl salicylate topical medication are denied as they do not meet the criteria for an annual clothing allowance.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left wrist condition and remanded the issues of initial compensable disability ratings for his right and left foot DJD (gout).

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the merits of the Veteran's claims, including for service connection for various disorders. The case is being remanded for further development.

The Board previously denied a higher rating for the Veteran's service-connected right wrist disability. The Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims (Court) has now ruled that the Board should have considered whether to rate the disability under Diagnostic Codes 5307 and/or 5308, which relate to muscle injuries of the forearm and hand. A new examination is needed to make an informed decision.

The Veteran's left wrist post-traumatic osteoarthritis has not been rated higher than 10 percent due to the absence of incapacitating exacerbations. The case is being remanded for a new examination and rating determination.