Wrist & hand decisions — 2019

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder and right wrist conditions, but has determined that additional development is needed before these claims can be decided on their merits.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for aid and attendance or housebound benefits as her surviving spouse, finding that she is not in need of regular aid and assistance from another person due to her medical conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder condition and left hand/wrist condition, both claimed as arthritis due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran's VA treatment records indicate current diagnoses of these conditions but a VA examination is needed to determine if they are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and rating considerations due to insufficient evidence regarding the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for left knee scar is granted, recurrent sinusitis remains at a 10 percent rating, lumbar spine disorder receives a 40 percent rating, right wrist disorder maintains its 10 percent rating, and the Veteran is awarded an initial 20 percent rating from November 28, 2012 to February 22, 2018 for left knee status post arthroscopy with limited flexion.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right wrist disability, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable disability rating for his left wrist scar and has remanded the issue of entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a left wrist flexor tendon injury.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left wrist ganglion cyst and thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran must be provided with VA examinations to determine if his disabilities are related to military service.

The Veteran's shin splints have been granted an initial 10 percent rating. The right shoulder, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and sleep apnea claims are remanded for further examination and opinion. The PTSD claim is also remanded with a request to issue a statement of the case on the issues of ratings in excess of 50 percent prior to January 21, 2015 and in excess of 70 percent from January 21, 2015 to August 21, 2018.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back, right shoulder, right wrist, and right knee disabilities. Service connection was also granted for a testicle disability. The issue of service connection for anxiety remains pending.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various ankle, knee, wrist, elbow, hip, and foot conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The issues of PTSD, left and right knee patellofemoral syndrome, eczema, and right wrist ganglion cyst are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted an initial rating of 30 percent for the Veteran's service-connected right wrist disability, effective from March 7, 2002.

The Veteran's wrist disabilities have been evaluated as non-compensable. The Board has found no evidence of limitation to range of motion, painful motion, or functional loss in either wrist. The lower leg disorders remain unresolved and require further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for VA examinations to address the etiology of his claimed disabilities, including lower back, shoulder, elbow, wrist, knee, and ankle musculoskeletal conditions, skin disability, headaches, and eye disability. The examination results will determine if these conditions are related to military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for an adequate VA examination of the Veteran's right wrist disability.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and remanded the cases of increased rating for bilateral hearing loss and service connection for low back disability.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's insomnia is granted as service-connected and proximately due to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder.,The Veteran's alopecia does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.,The Veteran's right hand arthritis and left hand arthritis are denied as there is no evidence of such conditions during the period of the claim.,The Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is denied as it was not incurred in service or related to service.,The Veteran's migraine headaches are denied as they were not incurred in service or related to service.,Service connection for fibromyalgia prior to September 21, 2017 is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including shoulder, wrist, knee, ankle, and respiratory disabilities, were denied as there was no evidence of current disability or a link to service.,Service connection is also denied for an enlarged prostate and bilateral testicle disabilities.