Wrist & hand decisions — 2019

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection for a right wrist condition. The claims for reopening of service connection for arthritis of the left wrist and bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities as secondary to diabetes mellitus have been granted, but the cases are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile or adaptive equipment, specially adapted housing, or a special home adaptation grant.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a neck disorder, left wrist disorder, and diabetes mellitus type II due to insufficient evidence in some cases.

The Board has remanded the claims due to new evidence being submitted, and these cases will be reviewed again by the AOJ.

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis with olfactory nerve damage and loss of smell, a low back disorder, right hand disorder, and left hand disorder. The decision is based on the Veteran's credible statements about his in-service injuries and ongoing symptoms.

The Veteran's right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome and osteoarthritis, as well as his degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, are all granted service connection. The Board found that these conditions were related to in-service injuries.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right ankle fusion, right and left carpal tunnel syndrome are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations to assess the severity of his conditions.

The Board has granted annual clothing allowances for the calendar years 2016, 2017, and 2018 due to use of right and left wrist braces. The appeal regarding the calendar year 2015 was denied as there was no timely application submitted.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been evaluated and denied, with no new evidence or changes in condition warranting a different rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including right knee disability, skin disability, low back disability with sciatica, acquired psychiatric disability (bipolar disorder), and left wrist disability. The decision found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has determined that a new examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left knee and left wrist disabilities, as these issues are inextricably intertwined with the remanded claims.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to December 30, 2013, for increased disability ratings of various service-connected conditions have been denied. The Board found no evidence that the Veteran initiated his claims before this date.

The Board has granted service connection for TBI and remanded the issues of service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD rating and service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome are remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for right wrist injury and right knee condition, thus denying service connection.,The Board has also determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of degenerative arthritis of the spine. The Board has therefore denied service connection for this condition as well.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, numbness of the left arm and hand (carpal tunnel syndrome), numbness of the right arm and hand, condition of the left knee, condition of the right knee, back pain, and acid reflux. The evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions were related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of VA records from the Veteran's active duty period and subsequent treatment. The claims will be reviewed again with these additional records.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran requires regular aid and attendance or is housebound due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection and increased ratings, except for the right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome which remains on appeal.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a neck disorder. The Veteran's high cholesterol is not considered a disability warranting VA compensation benefits, as it is merely a laboratory finding. The claims for right shoulder disability, neck disorder, right elbow disorder, and right carpal tunnel syndrome are all remanded for further development.