Wrist & hand decisions — 2020

The Veteran's vertigo and migraine headaches are granted as secondary to her service-connected right ear hearing loss. The Veteran's arthritis of the left wrist, right wrist, left hand, and lower extremities are remanded for further examination and opinion. Her Raynaud's syndromes and knee/ankle conditions are also remanded.

The Board denied service connection for carotid artery disease, right and left upper extremity neurological disorders, and neurobehavioral effects due to exposure at Camp Lejeune. The decision was based on the lack of evidence linking these conditions to the presumed contaminants in the water supply.

The Veteran's right wrist condition is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted under DC 5215. The evidence does not show ankylosis of the right wrist.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral wrist tendonitis and strain, cervical spine DDD, bilateral medial epicondylitis, left ankle strain, osteoarthritis in the left shoulder, and arthritis in the hands.

The Veteran's left shoulder impingement with left cervical radiculopathy and left-hand carpal tunnel syndrome is currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board finds that this rating is appropriate based on the current evidence.

The Board has determined that the VA examination and opinion are inadequate, and thus remanded for further development. The Veteran's service connection claim is being returned to the RO for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various conditions, including wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, ankle ligament sprain, knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and PTSD, were denied. The decision did not address service connection issues.

The Board has granted service connection for a left wrist disability and an increased rating to 50 percent for TBI with PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left leg shin splints, a left wrist condition, and an undiagnosed illness were denied as there was no evidence of current disability or causal relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA opinions regarding whether the Veteran's cervical spine disorder is secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The case will be reviewed again with new VA opinions.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for left wrist strain, the highest possible schedular rating under Diagnostic Code 5214.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a scar residual of a left arm vaccination is granted. The right wrist disability and tinnitus cases are denied, with the right wrist case being remanded due to insufficient evidence.,Service connection for a right knee disability and bilateral hearing loss remains pending as additional examination and medical opinions are needed.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various knee disorders, wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger finger disorders, stroke residuals, dizziness, and peroneal neuropathy. The case will be remanded to obtain additional medical records and provide addendum opinions from a VA examiner.

Service connection is granted for lumbosacral strain. The Veteran's current low back disorder is etiologically related to a back injury in service.,Service connection is denied for right ankle pain and left ankle pain, as well as obstructive sleep apnea. There is no evidence of chronic disability in service or post-service continuity of symptomatology.,Service connection is remanded for right wrist pain, cold and upper respiratory infections (claimed as sinus disorder), and bilateral partially compensated flatfoot and plantar fasciitis.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate VA examinations and requests for new evaluations.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder, service connection for left chronic cervical radiculopathy (secondary to service-connected degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder), and service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, left upper extremity.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection for a nerve disability was granted, and he was awarded service connection for tinnitus, sleep apnea, headache disability, and TDIU. The remaining issues were remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate rationale provided in the VA examination reports. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome are being reviewed again with an emphasis on their relation to herbicide exposure and/or diabetes mellitus, type II.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right wrist disability. The VA examiner did not address the Veteran’s lay statements and testimony about his service-connected right wrist problems.