Wrist & hand decisions — 2019

The Veteran's initial claim for an initial compensable rating for his right breast scar status post-surgical excision right breast gynecomastia was denied. The Board found that the criteria for a higher or separate rating were not more nearly approximated.,The Veteran's earlier effective date claim for his right breast scar status post-surgical excision right breast gynecomastia was denied as there is no evidence of a prior claim within one year of separation from service. The RO granted service connection on the date of receipt of claim, May 22, 2015.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for his right wrist ganglion cyst (claimed as right-hand arthritis), sleep apnea (claimed as a sleep disorder), hypertension, and migraine headaches were all denied. The Board found that new and material evidence was not submitted to reopen these claims.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition to include post-traumatic stress disorder and persistent depressive disorder was also denied.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine and bilateral wrist disabilities cause his clothing to wear or tear, warranting an annual clothing allowance for 2015.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right leg pain, right knee pain, right shoulder pain, wrist pain, left hip pain, and right hip pain have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received. The claim for service connection for left elbow disorder is reopened.,Service connection for lumbosacral arthritis, left knee arthralgia, left shoulder osteoarthritis, foot (toe) osteoarthritis, diabetes mellitus II, and hearing loss in the left ear have also been denied.

The Board has remanded the case for a comprehensive VA examination to determine if the Veteran's right hand disability is due to his carpal tunnel release surgery and whether any additional disabilities are related to the surgery or pre-existing conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a lumbar spine disability, cervical spine degenerative disc disease, and right carpal tunnel syndrome have been granted.,Service connection has also been established for sleep apnea as secondary to depression, and high blood pressure is considered not related to service. Service connection for depression was found to be proximately due to service-connected wrist and shoulder disabilities.,The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for impingement syndrome with degenerative changes and rotator cuff tears in the right shoulder, left shoulder tendonitis and degenerative joint disease at the AC joint, residuals of fracture left distal radius with ankylosis, carpal tunnel syndrome in the left upper extremity, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) are all remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left wrist, left ankle, and bilateral hearing loss disabilities due to outstanding treatment records and need for new examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her right wrist sprain and right carpal tunnel syndrome are being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the higher rating of 10 percent for the Veteran’s service-connected right index finger disability, as it was not factually ascertainable that an increase in disability occurred within one year prior to July 16, 2013.,The Board also denied a higher rating for the Veteran's service-connected right index finger disability, finding that he is already in receipt of the maximum rating available.,The Board denied entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need of regular aid and attendance, as the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities do not result in him needing such assistance.

The Veteran's preexisting left wrist disability was aggravated by his first period of active duty service, and the Board granted service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the bilateral feet, elbows, hands and wrists, as well as a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of his left foot injury were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence to support these claims based on the lack of current medical evidence linking the conditions to service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a traumatic scar of the right wrist and loss of use of his right hand (status-post wrist injury) are granted. The Veteran is found to have a current disability, with a history of an in-service motor vehicle accident resulting in a right wrist laceration that was incurred in the line of duty.

The Veteran's service-connected right wrist, right ankle, and skin disabilities have been denied as there is no evidence of current diagnoses for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various ankle, knee, hip, and buttock pain disabilities due to outstanding treatment records and further medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for gouty arthritis of the bilateral feet and ankles, as well as degenerative joint disease of the left wrist, both claimed as gouty arthritis. The VA examiners found no evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on remanded issues are currently pending and will be reconsidered by the RO. The remaining denied conditions include acquired absence of teeth, fatty liver, left great toe bunion with osteoarthritis and gout, right great toe bunion with osteoarthritis and gout, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), pain in all joints and muscles, bilateral hearing loss, right Achilles tendonitis with calcaneal spurs, bilateral Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS), hernias, left knee osteoarthritis, and degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it is caused by in-service noise exposure. The issues of left shoulder, bilateral hearing loss, left knee, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome are remanded for further examination and analysis.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including a thoracolumbar spine disability, prostate cancer, headaches, gastrointestinal disability manifesting in nausea and vomiting, and inability to conceive. These issues are being remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her bilateral wrist disabilities, finding that they are currently manifested by painful and limited motion without ankylosis. The case is remanded to obtain a new VA examination to assess the current severity of her right shoulder disability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and an earlier effective date for increased rating for right ankle condition. The decision found no evidence of a nexus between the conditions and active service, or secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim of service connection for left wrist disability due to a lack of a VA examination, and requests that an appropriate medical opinion be provided.