Wrist & hand decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left shoulder, left wrist, cervical spine, and low back disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's complaints have been noted since service, but a definitive opinion is needed.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient information in the examination report regarding the Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability. The issues of service connection for a back disability, left wrist disability, and an acquired psychiatric disability are all pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to June 11, 2007, for the award of service connection for carpel tunnel syndrome of the right lower arm and left arm and hand.

The Board has remanded several claims for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for earlier effective date for migraine headaches is denied, and the claims for increased ratings for bilateral ulnar nerve entrapment and carpal tunnel syndrome are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence and need further examination. The issues include rheumatoid arthritis, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, anemia (secondary to hysterectomy), and anatomical loss.

The Board has remanded the cases due to failure to obtain all relevant medical records and for additional etiological opinions.

The Veteran's PTSD with generalized anxiety disorder has been granted service connection.,Multiple Sclerosis, right wrist disorders (including carpal tunnel syndrome), and other conditions are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's compensation for the period of training days in fiscal year 2012 was withheld due to his receipt of active service pay. The issues regarding ratings for right wrist CTS are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings as they are not fully developed and additional evidence may be needed to make a determination.

The Board has remanded several issues, including service connection for a TBI and initial ratings for various musculoskeletal conditions. The Veteran's adjustment disorder with anxiety and depressed mood is rated at 70 percent. Initial ratings for his shoulder strains, wrist tendonitis, little finger strain, lumbar degenerative joint disease, knee patellofemoral syndrome, left ankle strain, right ankle strain, and tinnitus are denied.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension, vision disability, right and left carpal tunnel syndrome, gout, and granted a 10% rating for bilateral hearing loss. The effective date of the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss is not being advanced.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with his pending claims for increased ratings and entitlement to service connection. The case will be referred to the Director, Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left wrist degenerative joint disease (DJD) is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for sleep apnea syndrome and hypertension due to insufficient evidence. The claim for a temporary total disability rating following surgery on February 18, 2014 is not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not preclude him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were not filed within one year of his separation from active duty, and thus the effective dates for these conditions are denied.

The Veteran's claim for a 10 percent rating for his right wrist scapholunate ligament injury is granted. The issue of service connection for a right ankle disorder is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome and glaucoma due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for left ankle sprain is also being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal of an increased rating for a scar status post gunshot wound left arm medial aspect was dismissed. The appeals for service connection for residuals of the gunshot wound and left carpal tunnel syndrome are remanded.