Wrist & hand decisions — 2019

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of 13 issues, including service connection claims for various conditions and disability ratings. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's current right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are service connected.,Service connection is also granted for left shoulder, right shoulder, left elbow, right elbow, bilateral wrist, left hip, and right hip disabilities. However, the Board has not provided a VA examination to determine whether these conditions are related to in-service motorcycle accident injuries.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction, peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, and meralgia paresthetica of the left lower extremity, have rendered him unemployable. The Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for neurodermatitis, skin lesions on the scalp, neck and bilateral wrists, residuals of seborrheic cyst, and keratosis is remanded due to new evidence received since the last denial.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need for additional examinations. The claims will be reviewed after obtaining all relevant records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient development and examination. The issues include right shoulder, middle finger, knee, foot, back, breast reduction surgery, cervical dysplasia (claimed as cancerous-type tissue), migraine headaches, and carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his left wrist disability is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of additional evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for osteoarthritis of the right wrist and an increased rating for his left knee disability, finding that there was no current diagnosis of arthritis in either condition. The Veteran's left knee disability is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and left cubital tunnel syndrome are granted as service-connected, with the Board finding that his symptoms began during active duty due to repetitive work as a pharmacy technician.

The Veteran's claim for right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome and cervical spondylotic myelopathy was denied in a February 2014 rating decision. The Board found that the evidence did not show his CTS was related to his service-connected right shoulder disability or that the disability was incurred during service. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date is denied as there was no prior claim of service connection for his right upper extremity CTS.

The Veteran's somatic disorder, allergic rhinitis with deviated nasal septum, asthma (with OSA), GERD, and right wrist disability have been granted service connection. The Veteran is also receiving a noncompensable evaluation for his allergic rhinitis with deviated nasal septum, 10 percent evaluation for his asthma (prior to October 5, 2017) and 50 percent evaluation for his OSA with asthma from October 5, 2017. A 10 percent evaluation has been granted for his GERD, while a 10 percent evaluation is denied for his right wrist disability.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, sleep apnea, right ankle melanoma, left wrist disorders, and left club foot. The appeals are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased ratings for iron deficiency anemia and right wrist ganglion cyst. The appeal of the reduction in rating from 60 percent to 10 percent effective September 1, 2016 is also dismissed. The Veteran's appeal for compensable ratings for recurrent condyloma acuminata prior to July 19, 2017 and a separate compensable rating from July 19, 2017 is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for PTSD, bilateral shoulder, wrist, and hand disabilities due to inadequate development. The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is also remanded as there was not substantial compliance with previous remand instructions.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings on his left wrist disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence and the need for a retrospective opinion. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his left trapezius muscle disability (myofascial pain syndrome) was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal disabilities, including lumbar spine, right hip, left elbow, right elbow, left wrist (carpal tunnel syndrome), and right wrist (carpal tunnel syndrome) were remanded due to incomplete records. The VA duty to assist was triggered by the addition of relevant service treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various foot, shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, and ankle disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations. The new examinations must address whether these conditions are related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as the claim for service connection of various conditions was not filed within one year of his daughters' 18th birthdays, and thus an earlier effective date could not be granted.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee disorder and carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of these conditions related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder disability, but has remanded cases involving his left shoulder and bilateral elbows, wrists, and hands due to incomplete records and need for additional opinions.