Wrist & hand decisions — 2020

The Veteran's left and right knee disabilities are granted with a 10% rating prior to April 16, 2019. Ratings for the right wrist, left ankle, left ear hearing loss, costochondritis-mid sternal (chest pain), and unspecified depressive disorder remain denied.,Service connection for heartburn and gastrointestinal disability is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding her in-service injuries and exposure. The VA will obtain missing service treatment records, including those from her reserve component time, and seek clarification on any reported exposure to pollution or toxins.

The Veteran's left wrist and lumbar spine disabilities are rated at the lowest possible levels due to their current symptoms not meeting higher rating criteria. The Board finds no evidence of ankylosis or neurological involvement.

The Board has granted service connection for arthritis of the left wrist, finding that the Veteran's symptoms are at least in equipoise with his account of injuries sustained during military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to obtain records from Darnall Army Medical Center, which may contain information relevant to the Veteran's claims of service connection for right arm ulnar nerve damage, carpal tunnel syndrome, and scarring.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include left wrist, right pinky finger, residuals of a broken left thumb, and mental health disability (anxiety).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for shortness of breath was denied. The claims for higher ratings for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome were initially denied, but the rating for right hand carpal tunnel syndrome was granted as of October 7, 2019, and the rating for left hand carpal tunnel syndrome remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with effective dates set at April 2, 2018. The rating assigned is 10 percent for bronchitis and cervical neck strain.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a VA examination regarding his left arm arteriovenous fistula. The initial rating for the left wrist surgical scar remains granted at 20 percent.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating for his service-connected left wrist disability is remanded due to a duty to assist error. He needs an examination to assess the severity of his carpel tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person is denied as he does not require such assistance due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left wrist disability, finding that he is already in receipt of the maximum available rating under Diagnostic Code 5215 and no higher based on the lack of ankylosis or other criteria.

The Veteran's right wrist disability and associated ulnar neuropathy have been granted a 10% evaluation, effective May 23, 2012.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left shoulder, right wrist, lower back, and bilateral knee conditions due to incomplete medical records and inadequate examination reports. The AOJ is instructed to obtain relevant VA and private medical records and schedule the Veteran for an adequate VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to incomplete records and the need to locate additional medical records from his Air Force Reserve service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right wrist disability is not service-connected, and remanded for further development to determine if it is secondary to his service-connected right thumb disability.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for service connection for residuals, right wrist fracture. The Veteran's preexisting condition was aggravated by active service, warranting service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome and right elbow condition, both secondary to a previously service-connected right scaphoid injury. The Veteran's testimony regarding his injuries in service is considered, and new opinions are needed on direct and secondary service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a left foot condition and residuals of a right wrist condition, finding that there is no evidence to support the presence of current disabilities related to in-service injuries.

The Board has remanded four issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including sleep apnea, right wrist disability, bilateral hearing loss, and low back disability. The Veteran will need further examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.