Wrist & hand decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, sciatica, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and psychiatric disability is granted as new and material evidence has been submitted. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's right knee DJD has been established through service connection and is considered for compensation.,New evidence received supports reopening of claims for right wrist condition, DMII (diabetes mellitus type II), and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee arthritis and a left wrist disorder due to inadequate opinions in the December 2012 VA examinations.

Your appeals for increased disability ratings and TDIU have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The Board has no jurisdiction to proceed with these matters.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted service connection for tinnitus. The remaining claims of entitlement to service connection for right foot injury, right finger deformity, right wrist injury, depression with alcohol abuse, and a back condition are remanded.,An addendum opinion is needed regarding the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected left knee degenerative joint disease.

The Board denied service connection for a right wrist condition due to the lack of evidence showing a causal relationship between the Veteran's current condition and his military service. The examiner found that the condition is more likely due to natural use over time, not related to any in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right wrist and right hand disorders due to insufficient evidence in the current record. The Veteran's service treatment records show a contusion from running into a door, but his post-service VA treatment indicates he has symptoms of radial tunnel syndrome and weakness.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is granted as incurred in service. The Veteran's left wrist osteoarthritis is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's service connection claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and conducting new examinations. The Veteran's hearing loss disability claim also requires a new examination.

The Board has granted a clothing allowance for the back brace issued in connection with service-connected lumbar strain and intervertebral disc syndrome. The left knee and left wrist braces were not granted as they are not related to any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and examination, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, heart disorder, and median nerve neuritis, carpal tunnel syndrome of the right and left wrist are remanded due to new evidence received since the last final denial. The Board will determine if there is a causal relationship between these conditions and active service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claim for a left wrist condition must be remanded due to missing service treatment records and the need for an examination to determine if his current left wrist disability is related to in-service injury.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right and left upper extremities is remanded. A TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected due to in-service noise exposure.,Left hand carpal tunnel syndrome is also granted as secondary to the service-connected right wrist disability.

The Board has determined that further action is needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for higher ratings for degenerative disc disease of the thoracolumbar spine and left wrist strain. The claims are being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and arranging for VA examinations.

The Veteran's sleep apnea and hypertension are granted as service-connected. The Veteran's sinusitis, left foot plantar fasciitis, and carpal tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including a back condition, bilateral leg condition, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, depression, and heart condition. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to service or within one year of discharge.

The Board denied a higher rating for the Veteran's left wrist fracture, finding that there is no evidence of ankylosis.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to determine what issues the Veteran wishes to appeal. The Veteran is seeking increased disability ratings for his service-connected costochondritis and right wrist condition.