Wrist & hand decisions — 2019

The Veteran's back disability and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome have been granted service connection. The back disability received a rating of 20 percent, effective from the date of decision.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that the Veteran's current diagnoses were not related to his military service.,The Board also denied a TDIU claim, concluding that while the Veteran has service-connected PTSD and other conditions, he did not meet the criteria for a TDIU based on these disabilities alone.

The Veteran's claims for hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical spine disorder, GERD, headaches (including migraines), hypertension, TBI residuals, seizures, lumbar spine disorder, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, right and left shoulder disorders, right and left wrist disorders, elbow bursitis, bilateral hand disorder, knee disorders, eye disorder, sinus disorder with nose bleeds, and face trauma have all been denied.,The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has not met the criteria for an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to address the appellant's claim for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, as it may be related to her service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The case is being remanded for a new examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeal includes requests for increased ratings for left wrist DJD and low back disability, as well as a claim for TDIU. The Board has determined that further development is needed to assess the current severity of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including back pain and knee conditions, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board finds that the evidence shows he is entitled to an award of a TDIU rating based on his service-connected disabilities.

Your claims for service connection on multiple conditions have been remanded to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for review of additional medical evidence.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for left wrist and low back disabilities, but has remanded both issues due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding her conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left forearm or wrist disability and an increased rating for his left knee patella tendonitis with patellofemoral pain syndrome. The Veteran's conditions were found not to be related to his active service.

The Veteran's use of a VA-issued right wrist brace caused wear and tear on his clothing, warranting an annual clothing allowance for the year 2016.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for back, left hip, right arm, and right wrist disabilities have been granted. The Board found that the evidence was in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's vertigo, scars of the left knee and wrist/arm, CFS, bilateral shin disabilities, frostbite residuals, and Meniere’s disease are not related to his military service.,The Veteran has been diagnosed with these conditions since separation from service but there is no evidence linking them to his time in active duty.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hand conditions (including fibromyalgia), left shoulder strain, bilateral wrist strains, and bilateral knee sprains. The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is also under review.

The Veteran's claims have been dismissed as the attorney has withdrawn all pending appeals.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating codes, except for a 40 percent rating being granted beginning February 11, 2016, for thoracolumbar spine DJD.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar disability, left arm disability, right shoulder strain, right wrist degenerative joint disease, left foot disability, and right foot disability due to new evidence received since the November 2009 rating decision.,Your current claim of service connection for a left arm disability is denied as there is no currently diagnosed condition. The Board found that your left arm was normal at separation from service.

The Board has granted service connection for all four conditions: left and right knee disabilities, as well as left and right carpal tunnel syndrome. The evidence supports the Veteran's claims that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right knee arthritis, right knee instability, and residuals of right wrist fracture with osteochondrosis due to a lack of updated VA treatment records and the need for new examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left wrist arthritis as secondary to his service-connected left wrist fibroma is being remanded due to the inadequacy of the December 2015 VA examination.