Wrist & hand decisions — 2022

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right wrist fracture pre-existed service and was not aggravated by active duty, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected lumbar spine disability is currently rated at 20 percent prior to August 7, 2018 and 40 percent from August 7, 2018 to August 27, 2020. The claim for increased ratings after this date remains pending.,The Veteran's bilateral knee disability and bilateral carpal tunnel disability are both remanded for further development.

The Veteran's initial noncompensable disability ratings for his bilateral wrist disabilities prior to July 18, 2019 are granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his left upper extremity disabilities, including whether they are related to his service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for sarcoidosis, rheumatoid arthritis, right knee disability, left knee disability, and other conditions. The appeals are now remanded to determine whether service connection can be established.

The Veteran's lumbar spine strain is rated at 20 percent, effective August 11, 2014. His right lower extremity radiculopathy and left lower extremity radiculopathy are each granted initial 20 percent ratings, effective August 11, 2014 and April 29, 2019 respectively. The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, effective November 15, 2012. His right foot fibromatosis and left foot fibromatosis are granted service connection. His bilateral hip strains are secondary to his knee and ankle disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including left hamstring, bilateral knee, and right foot conditions, are being remanded for further development. The VA is instructed to obtain updated treatment records, schedule the Veteran for additional examinations, and provide medical opinions regarding the nature of his reported symptoms and their relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete SPRs and inadequate VA examinations. The claims will be reviewed again with new evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his claims.,Additional VA examinations are needed to determine if the Veteran has current sinus, dysphagia, carpal tunnel syndrome, right arm disability, allergic rhinitis, asthma, cervical spine, lumbosacral spine, multiple sclerosis with left eye optic neuritis, and dysthymic disorder disabilities that are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities due to outstanding records and need for new VA opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for stable angina, due to his service-connected hypertension, is granted. The claims for right and left upper extremity neurological disabilities (carpal tunnel syndrome) are denied as the evidence does not support a link to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various knee and hand disorders due to incomplete records. The Veteran's VA examinations, pain management records, inpatient records, and neurosurgery records need to be associated with the file.

The Veteran's left wrist disability and associated scar have not resulted in ankylosis or arthritis, but the Veteran continues to experience painful reduced range of motion. His claim for increased ratings is denied. The compensable rating for his residual scar remains unchanged.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations obtained in connection with each claimed disability are deficient and requires new examinations to determine if the Veteran's disabilities had their onset during service or are otherwise etiologically related.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need for further medical evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of compliance with VA's duty to assist, and further development is needed.

The Veteran's left wrist disability and associated incomplete paralysis of the median nerve are rated at 20 percent, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied due to the absence of evidence showing a current disability related to his in-service positive tuberculin reaction test.,Service connection was also denied for cardiovascular disease, bilateral CTS, low back disability, headaches, and insomnia. The denial was based on the lack of evidence demonstrating an association between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's right wrist disorder is granted service connection. The issue of service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 70 percent, but no higher. Other issues related to his service-connected disabilities are remanded for further review.