Wrist & hand decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the case for a VA opinion regarding whether sleep apnea is secondary to service-connected PTSD. The issues of increased ratings for left thigh, calf, and wrist disabilities remain on appeal.

The Board has dismissed all issues of service connection and entitlement to TDIU as the Veteran passed away before a decision could be made.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence and to obtain additional medical records. The issues include cervical spine disorder, back disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, sleep apnea, hypertension, left carpal tunnel syndrome, and right carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's claims for cervical spine disorder, heart murmur, and secondary polycythemia have been reopened. Service connection has been granted for secondary polycythemia.,Service connection is denied for cervical spine disorder, heart murmur, and wrist osteoarthritis (secondary to carpal tunnel syndrome).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,For the period on appeal, the Veteran’s right wrist tendonitis and left wrist tendonitis have not resulted in functional limitations that warrant a higher rating than the currently assigned 10 percent ratings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disability and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of left wrist surgery were denied. The Board found no evidence of current or previously diagnosed skin conditions, and the Veteran was already receiving the maximum schedular rating for his left wrist disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to inadequate medical opinions regarding his bilateral osteoarthritis of the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints, as well as a need for further development related to his right wrist disability.

The Board has denied service connection for right shoulder disability and remanded the issue of bilateral wrist carpal tunnel syndrome due to lack of evidence linking current conditions to service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an increased rating to 70%, and she is also granted a TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities.

Service connection for PTSD with insomnia and depression is granted.,Secondary service connection for a left wrist disability (crepitus and distal radius abnormality) is granted.

The Veteran's claim for an increase in his right rotator cuff rating was received on September 28, 2017. The effective date prior to September 28, 2017 for a 20 percent rating is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for left knee instability was received on September 28, 2017 and the first evidence of left knee instability of record is in the October 2017 VA knee examination report. The effective date prior to September 28, 2017 for service connection for left knee instability is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination and development of records, particularly regarding the severity of the Veteran's left wrist tendonitis and any associated neurological impairment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, but the appeals to determine whether these conditions are related to his military service remain pending.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as service-connected due to presumed herbicide exposure. The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of hyperhidrosis or any other sweating disability, and his GERD and hiatal hernia are also denied.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis of the hands and wrists, finding no evidence that it began during service or is related to an in-service injury. Service connection was also denied for cyst removal of the hands and/or wrists due to lack of a current diagnosis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for lipomas and their residuals was granted. The initial compensable disability rating for the scar on his left hand was denied, but the case is remanded due to potential secondary carpal tunnel syndrome and psychiatric disorder. Additionally, the Veteran's asthma condition is also being remanded for a higher disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as the denial of a compensable rating for bilateral cataracts, have been granted. The issues of service connection for bilateral upper extremity peripheral nerve disabilities and right lower extremity neurological disabilities remain pending and are being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left wrist disability and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), finding that there was no evidence of in-service injury or disease, and the current conditions were not causally related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for various conditions including left and right knee disabilities, sleep apnea, TBI, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and an acquired psychiatric disability. The Veteran's current hearing loss in the right ear is not considered a compensable disability.