Wrist & hand decisions — 2021

The Board has granted service connection for sinusitis on a presumptive basis. The remaining issues have been remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed mixed connective tissue disease, as all other claims are intertwined with this diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and opinion regarding the Veteran's right ankle, low back, and bilateral hand conditions. The issues of service connection are being addressed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left wrist disability, finding that there was no evidence to support an in-service injury and that any worsening of his pre-existing condition during active duty was due to natural progression.

The Board has found that further VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed carpal tunnel syndrome, including whether it arose in service or is related to his diabetes.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination and addressing service connection for left wrist neurological symptomatology.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various conditions were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of appeal by his representative.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including an addendum VA examination to address the severity of his left elbow degenerative arthritis and other service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome and right hand small finger limitation due to a lack of VA examinations addressing these conditions. The Veteran testified that both conditions likely developed during active service, but further examination is needed to determine their etiology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back, right and left ankle, and bilateral wrist/hand disabilities due to a lack of medical opinion regarding their relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral wrist and knee disorders due to inadequate medical opinions. The claims will be reviewed again with new evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for a separate rating for a neurological impairment due to his service-connected left shoulder disability, finding that the diagnosed carpal tunnel syndrome is not related to his service-connected condition.

The Veteran's left carpal tunnel syndrome is rated at 10 percent, and hypertension is not service-connected. The Board has denied these claims.,Service connection for epilepsy/seizure disorder is remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding its etiology.,Service connection for a neurocognitive disorder is also remanded as the Veteran's seizure disorder may be secondary to his PTSD with anxiety and sleep impairment, which requires further clarification.,The Veteran's chronic pain syndrome is related to multiple service-connected disabilities, requiring an addendum opinion to determine if it can be attributed solely to one condition or a combination of conditions.,A TDIU rating prior to March 23, 2016 is also remanded due to the Veteran's seizure disorder, neurocognitive disorder, and chronic pain syndrome.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including coronary artery disease, an acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), hypertension, bilateral knee disability, left wrist arthritis, lower back pain, right leg limp, and right shoulder pain. The Board found no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and the Veteran's time in service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including knee disabilities, asthma, COPD, heart disability, hypertension, and carpal tunnel syndromes are all denied.,There is no evidence of any in-service injury or disease that could be linked to the current conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left wrist disability, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury or chronic condition and that the current wrist pain is not related to service.

The Veteran's IBS and bilateral CTS have been granted initial ratings of 30 percent, the schedular maximum. The decision is based on severe symptoms with alternating diarrhea and constipation for IBS, and moderate incomplete paralysis for both upper extremity CTS.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for skin cancer and bilateral wrist conditions due to outstanding records and need for additional development, including verification of her Reserve service periods and VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for left wrist nonunion fracture, status post surgery, was denied as the evidence did not show ankylosis or other symptoms warranting a higher evaluation.