Wrist & hand decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn regarding residuals of post-carpal tunnel release, right arm. The claims for service connection for PTSD and shoulder disabilities have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for additional evidence and a new VA examination.

The appeal has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant. The Board does not have jurisdiction to adjudicate the merits of this appeal as it is no longer relevant.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's service connection claim for a right wrist disability due to new and material evidence. The Board also granted service connection for the right wrist disability, finding that it is at least as likely as not related to his in-service injury.

The Board denied service connection for right and left ankle disabilities, as well as a left wrist disability other than the scar from ganglion removal. The Veteran's current conditions are not considered to be related to his military service.,Service connection was granted for the left wrist scar resulting from the removal of a ganglion cyst during service.

The Veteran's right and left carpal tunnel syndrome with peripheral neuropathy have been granted increased disability ratings of 40 percent each, effective March 12, 2014.

The Veteran's claims for tinnitus, PTSD, and bilateral hearing loss have been granted. The remaining issues of service connection for various conditions are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of left arm, right arm, and wrist conditions have been denied. The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis for these conditions. However, he was diagnosed with shoulder conditions during his VA examinations. These cases are being remanded to clarify whether the Veteran has any current diagnoses.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU rating prior to May 6, 2014, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for OSA, which is secondary to his service-connected CAD and acquired psychiatric disorder, has been granted. The claims for other conditions have been denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and the need for additional medical examinations. The claims will be reviewed again with the hope of obtaining missing records, conducting new VA examinations, and determining if there is a link between the Veteran's current conditions and his military service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy in both upper extremities due to insufficient evidence and lack of substantial compliance with previous directives.

The Board dismissed the appeals of several service connection claims and denied requests for earlier effective dates. The Veteran's claims were not supported by a proper substantive appeal.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions have been reopened and granted.,Service connection has been established for coronary artery disease/ischemic heart disease (CAD), diabetes mellitus, left lower extremity diabetic neuropathy, right lower extremity diabetic neuropathy, left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, and posttraumatic stress disorder.

The Veteran's left wrist strain, medial antebrachial nerve injury, and carpal tunnel syndrome are productive of neuropathy and moderate, incomplete paralysis. The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee strain, tendonitis, and instability, left knee strain, tendonitis, and instability, tinnitus, left hand carpal tunnel syndrome and ulnar nerve neuropathy, right hand carpal tunnel syndrome and ulnar nerve neuropathy, and right shoulder strain.,The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted.,Further examination and evidence are needed to determine the nature of his elbow and back disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is related to her military service.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating due to lack of functional limitation.,The Veteran’s right wrist scar is rated at 0 percent as it does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation under Diagnostic Code 7805.,The Veteran's left knee surgical scars are also rated at 0 percent, with no evidence showing disabling effects or loss of function.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions and disabilities are being remanded due to the need for a hearing before the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ).