Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's service connection claim for a left thumb disability is granted. The Board finds that his current left thumb disability is directly due to the wrist fracture injury he sustained during active duty service. For the increased rating claim, the Veteran's left wrist disability is assigned a 10 percent rating under DC 5215 and the Board denies an increase in rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right wrist and right shoulder disabilities were not incurred in service or related to a service-connected disability. The evidence does not support a finding of continuity of symptomatology, and the VA examiner concluded that the current disabilities are more likely due to normal aging.

The Veteran's initial rating claims for various wrist, shoulder, ankle, hip, and knee disabilities have been dismissed. Service connection has been granted for chronic rhinitis under the PACT Act presumption of exposure to burn pits.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since January 31, 2016.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected. The left knee, bilateral heel disorder with plantar fasciitis (secondary to the non-service-connected left knee disorder), left wrist disorder, right wrist disorder, lumbosacral strain, hypertension, migraines, and vertigo/syncope are all remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the case due to a three-year gap in treatment records and the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome is related to service, specifically Gulf War exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral wrist and right ankle disabilities due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The Veteran is presumed competent to report her symptoms, but the prior examinations did not consider her lay statements or medical history.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right wrist and left knee disabilities due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his right wrist, bilateral shoulder, and OSA disabilities. The claims are being returned for further development including examinations and verification of toxic exposure.

The Veteran's right wrist condition, left knee condition, and sleep apnea are all granted service connection as they are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including left elbow, left shoulder, neck, right wrist, right elbow, and right shoulder disabilities. The claims are being returned to the RO for additional medical opinions addressing whether these conditions are related to his service-connected left wrist disability.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and adjudication due to issues with the qualifications of VA examiners and the need to obtain recent medical records.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, and therefore, the appeal is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disability, left and right carpal tunnel syndrome, and bilateral foot disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development of her medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hand disorder, including trigger finger and carpal tunnel syndrome, is related to his military service. The condition pre-existed service but did not worsen during service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's upper extremity numbness and tingling, including right carpal tunnel syndrome. The Veteran is requested to provide additional information or undergo further examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for sleep apnea and carpal tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity before a decision was made.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions due to additional VA records being added to the case file.

The Board has granted an effective date of July 12, 2012 for the award of service connection for a right wrist strain. The Veteran's claim was filed on that date, and there is evidence showing he had painful and limited motion at that time.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of left wrist disability, right shoulder condition, and blood clots as they are not related to military service.