Wrist & hand decisions — 2022

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate opinions and missing records, requiring further development before a final decision can be made on whether the Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome is secondary to his service-connected left hand scar.

The Board has ordered additional development for the Veteran's claims of service connection for right wrist and hand disorders due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a determination on the character of discharge from service and readjudication of all issues on appeal. The decision is not binding on other VA policies or interpretations.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with intervertebral disc syndrome was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,The Board has remanded cases involving service connection for sleep apnea syndrome, left hand carpal tunnel syndrome, right hand carpal tunnel syndrome, and erectile dysfunction.

The Veteran's right carpal tunnel syndrome is granted a 70 percent rating, effective from August 25, 2020. The claim for TDIU prior to August 25, 2020, is dismissed as moot.

The Board has granted service connection for left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, a low back condition, and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy due to the Veteran's service-connected low back disability. The decision is based on credible evidence of symptoms during service and resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the bilateral upper extremities, including as due to in-service herbicide exposure or service-connected diabetes mellitus, and a compensable disability rating for bilateral hearing loss have been denied. The claim for a disability rating greater than 20 percent for diabetes mellitus has also been denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error. The issues of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, left wrist disability, right wrist disability, Meniere's disease, and left leg disability (sciatica) are all being addressed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to a lack of VA examinations and outstanding treatment records. The Veteran is also being asked to provide releases for any correctional facilities where he was incarcerated, as these records may contain relevant information.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss, but denied service connection for left hip disorder, right wrist disorder, and left shoulder disorder. The decision is based on the evidence showing that these conditions are not related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to June 28, 2016.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD, service connection for a left upper peripheral nerve disorder to include radiculopathy and left carpal tunnel syndrome, and service connection for right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome due to additional development being required.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection due to inadequate examination reports, failure to address additional functional impairment during flare-ups, and lack of a detailed rationale regarding aggravation.

The Veteran's left wrist sprain and left upper extremity CTS are both rated at 10 percent, with the CTS being aggravated by the wrist disability. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted for either condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.,The Board has denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a painful scar of the right forearm, as the evidence does not show underlying soft tissue damage or other disabling effects.

The Board has found that the VA examinations did not substantially comply with the remand directives and have ordered additional development for both the bilateral wrist carpal tunnel syndrome claim and the prostate cancer claim.

The Veteran's service connection claims for Female Sexual Arousal Disorder and Tinea Pedis are denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,The Veteran's service connection claim for Recurrent Tinnitus is granted based on her credible testimony about the onset and continuity of symptoms. The Board finds that she has competent, credible testimony regarding tinnitus.,The Veteran's service connection claims for Anemia, Hypertension, Type 2 Diabetes, Right Knee Disability, Left Knee Disability, Right Extremity Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Left Extremity Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, and Right Foot Plantar Fasciitis are denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after service. The Board also finds that the Veteran did not have a knee condition, carpal tunnel syndrome, or plantar fasciitis in service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for Insomnia was referred back to the Regional Office for appropriate development and adjudication.

The Veteran's attorney has withdrawn the claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates for various conditions, including hypertension, right wrist sprain, left wrist sprain, and left knee strain. As a result, there are no remaining issues to be decided.

The Veteran's appeals regarding service connection for various conditions have been dismissed.,An increased rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD has been denied.

The Veteran's low back condition is remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of her condition.,The Veteran's asthma is remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of her condition.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including depressive disorder and PTSD, is remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of her condition.,The Veteran's left shoulder impingement syndrome with arthritis is remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of her condition.,The Veteran's right shoulder arthritis and muscle spasms are remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of her condition.,The Veteran's carpal tunnel and peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity, is remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of her condition.,The Veteran's vertigo is remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of her condition.,The Veteran's left knee condition is remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of her condition.,The Veteran's right knee condition is remanded for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of her condition.