Wrist & hand decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records related to the Veteran's appendectomy residuals. The claim for a compensable rating for these residuals is also being remanded.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was granted from April 19, 2016 due to his service-connected disabilities. The decision also noted that the grant of TDIU did not affect the effective date of special monthly compensation (SMC).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that it was not incurred in or related to his active duty service and is not otherwise related to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations due to failure to attend VA examinations. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has dismissed the appeals on several issues due to withdrawals by the Veteran. The remaining issues are remanded for further development and consideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes and therefore, service connection is denied. The claims for left ankle degenerative arthritis, left foot degenerative arthritis, left hand degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis (bilateral), right knee degenerative arthritis (bilateral), left wrist degenerative arthritis, and right wrist degenerative arthritis are remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and a need for VA examinations. The issues include service connection for various disabilities, with some related to an in-service fall.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of fibromyalgia, carpal tunnel syndrome, radiculopathy, bilateral hearing loss, right knee instability, or left knee instability. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate opinions regarding service connection for left wrist disability and neuropathy of bilateral upper extremities.

The Veteran's right and left elbow conditions were not rated higher than 20 percent.,The Veteran's right and left knee conditions were not rated higher than 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for additional examinations. The issues include knee, cervical spine, right shoulder, left wrist, eye socket injury, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) prior to March 30, 2015, from March 30, 2015 to May 24, 2016, from May 24, 2016 to August 28, 2019, and since August 28, 2019 were denied as the medical evidence did not show moderate or severe incomplete paralysis of the median nerve or radicular groups.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate examinations and need for additional medical opinions regarding service connection.

The Board has remanded the claim for a left shoulder disability due to insufficient development and evaluation of the issue.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to exposure to toxins, as well as his knee and back disabilities. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The left inguinal hernia hydrocele and orchiopexy, left inguinal hernia scar, right hip disorder, left ankle disorder, right knee disorder, RUE CTS, and LUE CTS have all been denied.

The Board has remanded four issues related to the Veteran's hand and wrist conditions, as well as his left shoulder and elbow disabilities. The issues include service connection for de Quervain’s tenosynovitis and flexor carpi ulnari tendinopathy of both hands and wrists, and an initial rating for acromioclavicular arthritis and lateral epicondylitis of the left elbow. Additional evidence is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for a right wrist disability and granted a 30 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss from June 27, 2019.,The Veteran's current right wrist disability was not shown to be related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities of the shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, and knees, finding that there was no evidence showing a direct relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's active service.