Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for a left wrist disorder is dismissed because the Veteran passed away during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection of his claimed disabilities are remanded due to insufficient rationale provided by VA examiners in prior remands.

The Board has remanded the claims of bilateral hearing loss, increased rating for osteoarthritis, service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, and service connection for a left wrist disorder due to additional development being needed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's high cholesterol is not a disability for which service connection can be granted. The remaining issues have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's sinusitis, right knee condition, left knee condition, right ankle condition, and painful joints are related to his military service. The Veteran also has muscle spasms, fibromyositis, a left wrist cyst, and a left hand cyst that are related to his military service.,The Veteran's bilateral knee conditions (right and left) and painful joints are related to his exposure to environmental hazards during the Gulf War.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to exposure to burn pits and other toxins during his military service, including his MOS as a vehicle repairer. The case will be reviewed with additional medical opinions considering the synergistic effect of all toxic exposures.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as his claim for TDIU. The Board found that there was no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions of in-service injury or continuity of symptomatology related to these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an adequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral wrist disorder. The claim will be returned for further development, including obtaining a new medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and neck disorders were denied, but new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen these claims. Service connection is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and MDD) was previously denied, but the appeal is granted as her symptoms are related to active-duty service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right wrist and knee disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the current disability ratings adequately reflect the severity of the Veteran's conditions.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a cervical spine disability was granted. The TDIU claim was also granted, and the issues related to left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, left ankle disability, left foot disability, and right foot disability were remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including chronic ear pain, sleep apnea, a rash, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, neck condition, back condition, bilateral knee condition, bilateral hand condition, bilateral hip condition, and bilateral wrist condition are all denied.,Service connection was not granted as the evidence does not support that any of these conditions began during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination due to insufficient evidence in some areas, particularly regarding the Veteran's left hand and wrist scarring and her left knee disability.

The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied claim for entitlement to service connection for a headache disability is granted. The application to reopen the previously denied claim for entitlement to service connection for a cervical spine disability is denied.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with the duty to assist and an inadequate statement of reasons or bases. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to issues with scheduling an examination and obtaining employment history.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, and therefore, the claim is denied.,For the remaining claims, the Board finds insufficient evidence to determine whether any of these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's healed fracture of the left wrist is granted a 20 percent rating, effective November 19, 2008. The issue of secondary service connection for a left arm condition due to interference with arm swing resulting in less movement than normal is referred to the Regional Office (RO).