Wrist & hand decisions — 2020

The petition to reopen the previously denied claim for service connection for a right knee injury is granted. The claims for initial compensable rating for service-connected allergic rhinitis, bilateral knee disorders (left and right), left carpal tunnel syndrome, right carpal tunnel syndrome, sinusitis, obstructive sleep apnea, and acquired psychiatric disorder are all remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional examinations. The issues include bilateral shoulder conditions, low back condition, wrist conditions, psychiatric disorder, hearing loss, foot conditions, and knee conditions.

The Veteran's left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome is granted a 20% rating, while the ratings for his right and left shoulder disabilities remain at 20%. The appeal was successful only in relation to the left wrist condition.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right and left carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as sleep apnea and an acquired psychiatric disability (to include PTSD).,Service connection is not granted for any of these conditions.

Service connection granted for sinusitis. Effective date prior to February 19, 2014.,Service connection denied for left and right shin splints. Effective dates prior to February 19, 2014.

The Board has ordered the Veteran to be scheduled for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed wrist disability, back disability, left eye disability, and posttraumatic stress disorder. The claims are being remanded due to the failure to appear for VA examinations without good cause.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination regarding whether the left wrist disorder is caused or aggravated by service-connected disabilities, particularly right knee and bilateral ankle disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and evaluation, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has decided that the VA examination for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is inadequate and remands the case to obtain a new examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, which is secondary to service-connected degenerative arthritis, will be reconsidered.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral wrist conditions, including carpal tunnel syndrome, as they were not filed in accordance with the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act (AMA).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right wrist disability, pes planus, and an initial rating higher than 20 percent for left knee disorder. The claim for a separate 10 percent rating for instability of the left knee was granted.

The Board has decided to remand two issues related to the Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome, one for each upper extremity. The decision is based on the need for an addendum medical opinion.

The Veteran's service connection for thyroid cancer is granted. The claim for SMC based on housebound status is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for various knee and wrist disorders, as well as a back disorder. Additional development is needed through VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for right and left wrist pain as there is no current diagnosis of a wrist disorder, nor evidence of functional impairment.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a right ankle scar is denied as there is no diagnosed current disability.,The Veteran's initial compensable rating claim for status-post traumatic deviated nasal septum is denied due to the lack of evidence showing less than 50 percent obstruction on both sides.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted for the claims of service connection for back disability, left wrist disability, and right thumb disability. These claims are being remanded to allow for further review and consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, bilateral achilles bursitis, neck injury, bilateral wrist pain, and leg length discrepancy have all been denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions began during active duty or were otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of issues including service connection for ganglion cyst, scars of the right wrist, vision loss, hypertension (secondary to PTSD), rating for PTSD with adjustment disorder and anxiety in excess of 50%, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied service connection for CTS of the left and right wrists, as well as numbness in the toes and fingers of both hands and feet. The evidence did not support a current diagnosis or link to service.,There was no evidence of cold injuries during service that could have caused the Veteran's current symptoms.