Wrist & hand decisions — 2020

The Board has dismissed all claims due to the death of the Appellant, as appellants' claims do not survive their death.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and records review.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral elbow and right wrist disabilities, finding that the current conditions are not related to service.

The Board has granted service connection for right wrist, low back, and neck disabilities. Service connection is denied for dermatitis and bilateral feet hallux valgus.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, and the Board found new and material evidence to reopen his claims. Service connection was established for carpal tunnel of the right hand. The claims for sleep apnea and numbness in the right arm are remanded.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, particularly regarding his assertions of continuity of symptoms since separation from active duty and the potential secondary effects of his alcohol abuse on his liver disease.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of a VA examination for the right wrist condition, which is necessary to determine its etiology and relationship to service.

The Veteran's claims for high cholesterol, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and hypertension were denied. The Veteran was granted a TDIU beginning May 11, 2015.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right wrist disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current wrist conditions and active service.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for residuals of right wrist fracture was denied as his symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating under VA regulations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, hypertension, tinnitus, and carpal tunnel syndrome, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted a TDIU based on the combined rating of 90% for these conditions.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for higher ratings for various conditions, including uterine fibroid, ovarian cysts, onychomycosis (infected toe nails), actinic keratosis of the left wrist and nose, peripheral vestibular disorder, and PTSD. The claims are remanded for additional development.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2, right upper extremity and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, left upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right CTS, and left CTS as there is no evidence of these conditions during or immediately after service.,The Board also denied service connection for TBI due to lack of current diagnosis and credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor occurred.,Service connection was not granted for a nervous condition (diagnosed as depression NOS and PTSD) because there is no indication of a current disability related to an in-service event or disease.

The Veteran's service-connected elbow and wrist disabilities have not met the criteria for a higher disability rating at any time during the appeal period.

The Board has denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome of the upper extremities, as well as hypertension. The case is being remanded to obtain an updated opinion regarding whether the Veteran's hypertension is related to herbicide agent exposure.