Wrist & hand decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. 1151 due to an internal inconsistency in a previous VA examiner's opinion, and additional clarification is needed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right wrist pain and asthma have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. The cases are being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA clinical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claims for service connection for immersion foot and shrapnel right arm/wrist with pain are remanded due to the failure to issue a Statement of the Case.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a lumbosacral disability and secondary to a left shoulder disability due to lack of adequate examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right wrist and left knee disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and records.

The Veteran's nephrolithiasis (kidney stones), left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, right wrist joint pain, left knee chondromalacia of patella, right knee chondromalacia of patella, and left ankle sprain are granted service connection. The Veteran's hypertension is also granted service connection. However, the issues of higher initial ratings for chronic fatigue syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease, non-migraine headaches, PTSD with major depressive disorder and alcohol abuse disorder, TDIU prior to June 3, 2013, and special monthly compensation based on housebound criteria prior to June 3, 2013 are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the aggravation of right carpal tunnel syndrome by a service-connected right ulnar nerve disability, but denied service connection for psychiatric disability secondary to service-connected ulnar nerve disability and temporary total rating for convalescence following treatment of a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's application to reopen his service connection claim for a cervical spine disability was denied. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand disabilities due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder strain, bilateral wrist strains, and bilateral foot disabilities (including mild decreased longitudinal arches). Service connection was denied for chest pain.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including skin disorders, hearing loss, bladder disorders, heart conditions, kidney diseases, and extremity impairments have been denied. The Board found no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions of in-service exposure to toxic substances.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected conditions contributed to his death. The appellant needs a VA medical opinion on this issue.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and analysis regarding whether the May 13, 2016 surgery was needed for service-connected ulnar nerve damage or non-service connected left upper extremity overuse.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right foot hammertoe due to lack of new and material evidence. The appeal regarding a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a right wrist fracture with traumatic arthritis is remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for all issues on appeal due to the Veteran's testimony and submitted evidence. The claims are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for gout and remanded the issues of service connection for left and right elbow, wrist, and hand disabilities due to lack of a medical opinion.

The Board denied service connection for right and left wrist disorders, but granted service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's other claims are remanded.,Service connection was not established for the following conditions: bilateral shoulder disorder, bilateral elbow disorder, hypertension, varicose veins of the lower extremities, and headaches.

The Board denied service connection for multiple disabilities, including sleep apnea, right and left shoulder disabilities, a left and right wrist disability, a right ankle disability, and a right foot disability. The Board found that the evidence did not support these claims.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, Graves' disease with exophthalmos, cataracts, and dry eyes (to include as secondary to service-connected tension headaches), presbyopia, bilateral hearing loss, vertigo, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and tinnitus. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's active service or any presumptive exposure.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left carpal tunnel syndrome was denied as new and material evidence has not been received. The claim for low back disability was reopened, but the claim remains denied.,Service connection for a low back disability is denied due to lack of aggravation during or as a result of military service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.