Wrist & hand decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome right wrist, claimed as peripheral neuropathy right upper extremity; carpal tunnel syndrome left wrist, claimed as peripheral neuropathy left upper extremity; and traumatic brain injury are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and an addendum opinion to address whether the Veteran's left carpal tunnel syndrome is related to service, especially his in-service repetitive use of hands, or if it was aggravated by his service-connected lumbar spine disability.

The Board has decided that a left upper extremity disorder, including neurological manifestations (other than carpal tunnel syndrome), is related to the service-connected cervical spine disability and remanded for further development.

The Board has denied service connection for a right wrist disorder and remanded the issue of service connection for a right hand disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's De Quervain's tenosynovitis. A new examination is required.

The Veteran's claims for hepatitis C, low back disability, left hand disability (to include carpal tunnel syndrome), hypertension, and diabetes have all been denied. The Board found that the submitted evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has found the Veteran's left wrist disability and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) not related to service, but has remanded for further examination and evidence collection regarding his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has found the Veteran's left wrist disability and acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD) not related to service, but has remanded for further examination and evidence collection regarding his bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that additional medical examinations are needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected conditions and to address his reports of flare-ups. The claims are being remanded for these purposes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for an increased level of SMC based on need for higher level of aid and attendance.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on the issue of bilateral hearing loss has been withdrawn. The Board has remanded cases involving lumbar spine, left foot, right foot, tinnitus, hemorrhoids, and carpal tunnel syndrome of both wrists.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for shin splints, sleep apnea, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and evidence.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including increased ratings for his right wrist scars and bilateral hearing loss, as well as a new examination for his respiratory disability. The claim for tinnitus was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and all service connection claims for various hand and foot disabilities have been dismissed.

The Board has determined that a new VA examination is needed to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected right wrist, left wrist, right-hand index finger, and left-hand index finger strains (claimed as arthritis).

The Board has denied the claims for service connection for a right wrist disability, a right knee disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression and PTSD) as there is no evidence of such conditions during the appellant's ACDUTRA.

The Veteran's service records indicate he had complaints of fatigue, left wrist pain, and numbness in his left thumb. He was diagnosed with a ganglion cyst on the right wrist which required surgery. The Board finds that additional examinations are needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.,VA will conduct further evaluations to assess whether the Veteran's osteoarthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome of the left hand, and sleep apnea are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the previously denied claims.

The Veteran's right thumb pain and numbness are found to be causally related to his service-connected right wrist condition, granting service connection for this secondary disability.

The Board denied service connection for left hand, right elbow, left wrist, and right wrist disorders, as well as lumbar spine and cervical spine disorders. The VA examiners found no evidence of these conditions in service or during the separation examination.,Service connection was not established because there is no medical evidence linking any current disabilities to military service.