Wrist & hand decisions — 2020

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a cerebrovascular accident has been withdrawn.,Service connection for hypertension is denied as there is no in-service event or continuous symptomatology related to the condition.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus is denied due to lack of evidence showing current disability within VA standards.,The Veteran's bilateral shoulder disorder, osteoarthritis impacting multiple joints, and erectile dysfunction are remanded for further evaluation.,Further medical examination is needed to determine if the Veteran’s conditions are related to service or other service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left wrist disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board found that there was no evidence of ankylosis or other factors warranting a higher rating. The appeal for a higher rating was denied.

The Board dismissed the issue of service connection for left carpal tunnel syndrome and granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea is at least as likely as not related to in-service manifestations.

The Board denied a higher rating for the right wrist cyst and granted a 20 percent rating, but not higher, for neuropathy of the right wrist from February 2, 2011. The decision is binding only with respect to the instant matter decided.

The Veteran's right knee disability is granted as service-connected.,There is no current evidence of a left elbow disability, and the claim for this condition is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection and increased ratings for right hand arthritis, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and left shoulder disabilities due to additional development being required.

The Veteran's left upper extremity CTS was rated at 10 percent prior to August 11, 2011 and at 20 percent from that date. The appeal is denied as the criteria for higher ratings are not met.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and development of the record to determine appropriate ratings and service connection.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper and lower extremities, finding that there is no evidence linking his current conditions to his military service. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the lower extremity condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is denied. The left fifth metacarpal condition and PTSD are granted, but the initial increased ratings for these conditions are denied. Bilateral hearing loss, right inguinal hernia, and hip osteoarthritis claims are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for right hand disability and a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss due to insufficient opinions regarding direct service connection, aggravation, and the need for new examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for heart disease, migraine, and right wrist disability. Service connection is denied for cervical spine disability, arm disability, right elbow disability, left thigh cyst, and ulcers.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities of the cervical spine, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and lumbar spine are remanded for additional examinations to assess their current severity. The Veteran is also remanded for service connection on the merits for a left wrist disability, left shoulder tendinitis, and chest pain.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied due to lack of new and material evidence.,New and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims of service connection for various conditions, including dysmenorrhea, gastrointestinal disorders, bilateral ankle disability, carpal tunnel syndrome, left knee strain, right knee strain, restless legs syndrome, HPV, infertility, gallbladder surgery, tremors and spasms to face and hands, itching, pain, and scars, and VA medical treatment.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is rated at 40 percent from March 1, 2013 due to ankylosis of the major extremity.,The Veteran was previously denied a higher rating for his right wrist disability prior to August 15, 2012 and TDIU.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's TBI is service-connected. The remaining issues of abdominal pain, bilateral foot disorder, epididymitis infection, right shoulder disorder, left shoulder disorder, right wrist disorder, left wrist disorder, and left hand numbness are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's current right wrist disability is a continuation of an injury sustained during service.

The Veteran's GERD is remanded for a VA examination to determine its etiology.,The Veteran’s hypertension, linked to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, is remanded for a VA examination to determine its etiology.,The Veteran's left wrist disability, lumbar spine disability, and cervical spine disability are remanded for a VA examination to determine their etiology.,The Veteran's prostate cancer, potentially linked to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, is remanded for a VA examination to determine its etiology. If service-connected, the bladder incontinence is also remanded for a VA examination to determine its etiology.,Prostate cancer may be secondary to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune and/or prostate cancer.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) were denied. The left wrist, left knee, left shoulder, and right ankle disabilities have been rated as appropriate under the applicable VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a dental condition is denied as there is no evidence of loss of substance of the body of the maxilla or mandible due to trauma or disease during active military service.,The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for left wrist disability remains denied, as his current range of motion does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic code.,The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for right and left wrist disabilities are both remanded due to lack of communication or evidence submitted prior to the respective effective dates.