Wrist & hand decisions — 2023

The Veteran's hiatal hernia, hemorrhoids, bilateral varicose veins, right index finger injury, left ring finger injury, anxiety disorder, PTSD, lower back disability, bilateral hip disability, right ankle disability, and right shoulder and clavicular fracture are all remanded for further examination and evaluation.,Service connection is also being remanded for the Veteran's anxiety disorder, PTSD, lower back disability, bilateral hip disability, right ankle disability, right shoulder and clavicular fracture, and carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has determined that there is not substantial compliance with the previous remand directives regarding the issue of entitlement to compensation under 38 U.S.C. §1151 and another remand is required.

The Veteran's claims for PTSD, IBS, lumbosacral strain, right wrist sprain, deep vein thrombosis with residual pain, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and pulmonary vascular disease were all denied. The Board found no current diagnoses of these conditions and concluded that the evidence did not support service connection for any of them.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for peripheral vascular disease and right wrist CTS due to full grants of benefits in a December 2022 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate VA examination regarding the Veteran's left wrist and hand condition. The examiner was directed to consider the Veteran's lay statements about a service-related injury, but did not do so.

The Board has granted service connection for left wrist ganglion cyst and obstructive sleep apnea, finding that the conditions are related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities due to inadequate opinions in the February 2017 VA examination reports. The claims will be reviewed again with new examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a bilateral kidney disability has been withdrawn. The Board has remanded several other issues including skin, low back, psychiatric, headache, eye, hearing loss, tinnitus, carpal tunnel syndrome, hip, knee, and foot disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for posttraumatic stress disorder was dismissed.,A disability rating of 40 percent for a low back disability is granted as of January 24, 2016. The effective date for this award is January 21, 2016.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a kidney disorder and left hand/wrist disability, as well as an increased rating for residuals of a left wrist fracture due to incomplete VA treatment records. Additional medical opinions are required regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the Veteran's claims for service connection for various hand, wrist, elbow, and sleep apnea disabilities. The claims are being remanded to obtain relevant medical records and to schedule a VA examination.

Service connection for migraine headaches has been granted.,An initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied. The Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence being added after the July 2019 SOC. The Veteran's appeal will be reviewed by the AOJ before a decision is made.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including VA examinations to assess the current nature and severity of various conditions. The Veteran's service connection claims are not addressed as they involve direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral wrist disabilities due to a lack of adequate nexus opinions. The case is returned for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's cervical spine disorder is denied as there is no current diagnosis.,Service connection for the lumbar spine disorder due to bilateral pes planus is granted.,Service connection for right elbow disorder and left wrist disorder are remanded due to lack of VA examination.,Service connection for right wrist disorder is remanded due to lack of VA examination.,Obstructive sleep apnea secondary to service-connected coronary artery disease, hypertension, tension headaches, or bilateral pes planus is granted.

The Veteran's petition to reopen her previously denied claim for service connection for a left hip condition is granted. The claims of service connection for gait, lameness (secondary to sacroiliac joint dysfunction), and right knee condition are remanded.

The Board denied service connection for right wrist, left wrist, kidney, and thyroid conditions as the evidence did not support a finding that these disabilities were caused by or incurred in service.,Service records do not show any diagnosis of wrist conditions during active duty. The Veteran's current diagnoses are attributed to natural aging processes and post-service occupational duties.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, including breathing disorder, back disorder, headaches, acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral knee disorder, heart disorder, painful joints, bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, hypertension, obesity, vision disorder, intestinal disorder, and sleep apnea. The Board also notes that no presumptive service connection is being considered for any of the conditions.