Wrist & hand decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for residuals, fracture of right wrist is granted. The disability is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for various wrist, ankle, neck, back, shoulder, knee, and toe conditions as there was no evidence of current disabilities or in-service injuries that could be linked to these conditions.

Compensation for bladder cancer is denied. Service connection for cervical spine, right wrist, and right ankle disorders is granted.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the service connection claims for right wrist and right thumb disabilities before a decision was made.

The Veteran's bilateral wrist CTS is granted, and the effective date for service connection of lateral epicondylitis, left elbow, is set at November 21, 2005. The issue of whether a May 2004 Board decision should be revised or reversed based on clear and unmistakable error (CUE) is addressed in a separate, concurrent decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck, lumbar spine, right hip, left knee, right knee, left hip, left shoulder, and right shoulder disabilities. The claims are also remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for ulcers, left knee condition, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, left wrist condition, and migraines due to new and material evidence. The claims are remanded for further development including obtaining medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's positive tuberculin reaction, venereal warts, and other conditions were not service-connected as they did not manifest during or after his military service.,Otitis media of the left ear was preexisting and not aggravated by service.

The Veteran's dermatitis is rated at 10 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under either the old or new VA criteria.,The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome in the right wrist is currently rated at 30 percent and his left wrist is rated at 20 percent. Neither of these ratings meets the criteria for a higher rating based on the severity of symptoms.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral wrist disability and bilateral upper extremity nerve damage, finding no current disabilities and insufficient evidence linking the conditions to active service.,Service connection was granted for restoration of a 10% rating for right lower extremity radiculopathy from July 1, 2018.

The Board has denied service connection for TB due to lack of a current diagnosis. The right wrist and bilateral foot disorders are remanded as the evidence is insufficient to determine their onset or relationship to service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional development on service connection claims that are intertwined with his TDIU application.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his back disability is denied. The effective date of the 20% rating for his low back disability is set to April 21, 2017.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's arthritis of the left wrist should be remanded for further development, including obtaining relevant medical records and procuring an addendum VA medical opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection of various disabilities, including bilateral knees, left wrist, low back, pinched nerves of upper extremities/neck, and hepatitis C are remanded due to insufficient evidence. The VA will conduct further examinations and determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and development to determine the nature, etiology, and impact of his service-connected conditions on his ability to work.

The Veteran's appeal has been remanded for further development regarding his service connection claims and rating issues. The Veteran wishes to withdraw his claim for a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder tendinopathy and impingement syndrome, as well as right carpal tunnel syndrome with median nerve neuropathy, finding that these conditions are related to the Veteran's in-service injury to his cervical spine.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for arthritis, including rheumatoid arthritis and arthritis of both wrists, due to a lack of medical nexus opinion regarding his current disabilities. The case is also remanded to obtain private treatment records from CentreCare Clinic.

The Veteran's right eye condition and hypertension were denied as they are not related to service. The Board found no evidence of a superimposed disease or injury during service for the right eye condition, and there is no indication that the current wrist, back, ankle, and psychiatric conditions are related to military service.,The Veteran's bilateral wrist, lumbar spine, and right ankle disabilities were remanded as VA needs to determine if they are related to her military duties. The acquired psychiatric disability (including PTSD) and mental disorder for treatment purposes were also remanded due to the need to corroborate the in-service stressor.