Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for left upper extremity CTS as secondary to his burn injuries is granted. The request to reopen a previously denied diabetes claim is denied, and the restoration of ratings for LUE burn scars from October 1, 2015 is granted.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for lower back disability, ankle disabilities, knee disabilities, and wrist disabilities. The reasons for remand include the need for additional medical opinions due to insufficient nexus opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including cervical strain with degenerative arthritis of the spine, right and left knee patellofemoral syndrome, bilateral plantar fasciitis, right and left carpal tunnel syndrome, hypertension, basilar skull fracture, and status post tympanoplasty, are being remanded for further evaluation due to lack of recent VA examinations.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as service-connected due to its onset during active service and aggravation by her service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's asthma is granted as service-connected due to its manifestation within the 10-year presumptive period following separation from active service in Afghanistan.,The Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is granted as service-connected due to its onset during active service.,The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is not addressed by VA examination and requires further evaluation.,The Veteran's chronic bilateral ear disorder is not addressed by VA examination and requires further evaluation.,The Veteran's bilateral lower extremity nerve damage, to include as a result of a service-connected disability, is not addressed by VA examination and requires further evaluation.,The Veteran's bilateral upper extremity nerve damage, to include as a result of a service-connected disability, is not addressed by VA examination and requires further evaluation.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, to include as a result of a service-connected disability, is granted as service-connected due to its aggravation by her major depressive disorder.,The Veteran's chronic headaches are granted as service-connected with an increased rating required based on the frequency and severity of attacks.,The Veteran's lumbar spine spondylosis at L5-S1 prior to September 25, 2019 is granted as service-connected with a higher rating required after that date.,The Veteran's cervical spine osteoarthritis prior to September 25, 2019 is granted as service-connected with a higher rating required after that date.,The Veteran's right knee medial compartment osteoarthritis is granted as service-connected with a higher rating required based on the severity of symptoms.

The Veteran's right wrist disability was previously rated at 10 percent prior to November 10, 2015. The Board has remanded the case for further development and rating consideration.

The Board denied service connection for osteoarthritis of the left wrist and a back disability (lumbar spine and thoracic spondylosis) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen her previously denied claims for service connection for headaches, tinnitus, rheumatoid arthritis, a lumbar spine disorder, a right ankle disorder, a left ankle disorder, a right wrist disorder, and a left wrist disorder. The appeals are remanded for further development.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of sleep apnea, right elbow condition, left wrist condition, right knee condition, and lower back injury due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a heart condition has been reopened due to new evidence. Other issues have also been remanded for further evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for atrial fibrillation, coronary artery disease, cervical spine disorder, back disorder (likely thoracolumbar spine), carpal tunnel syndrome, and vertigo as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected fibromyalgia. The claims were remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for low back, left foot, right foot, and left wrist disabilities. The Veteran's right wrist disability was also denied as secondary to a service-connected scar.,Service connection was not established for any of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's need for regular aid and attendance of another person due to his service-connected disabilities is established, leading to the grant of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for a higher evaluation for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome was denied as the evidence did not show limitation of motion more nearly approximating flexion limited to 30 degrees.,Service connection for numbness in arms resulting from bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and ulnar nerve entrapment was denied because it is a diagnosed condition with fully understood etiology and pathophysiology.

The Veteran's Raynaud's syndrome is now rated at 40 percent effective February 11, 2009. The rating for other disabilities remains under review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of left wrist fracture and service connection for a left foot disorder due to additional evidence received since the October 2019 decision.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a right thumb injury, a right wrist disability, and a left knee disability. The decisions are based on the Veteran's reported in-service injuries and current diagnoses.

The Board has dismissed all issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including posttraumatic stress disorder and somatic symptom disorder, right shoulder impingement syndrome, degenerative arthritis of the spine with intervertebral disc syndrome L4-L5, left hip trochanteric pain syndrome, iliopsoas bursitis limitation of flexion, right hip trochanteric pain syndrome, iliopsoas bursitis, limitation of flexion, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and right wrist sprain. The Veteran's bilateral eye condition, eczema, left foot ring-toe condition, and sinusitis have also been dismissed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right wrist condition, finding that there was no evidence of an in-service injury and that any current right wrist disorder is not related to his active service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate reasoning in denying service connection for bilateral upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome. The Veteran needs a comprehensive examination to assess the etiology of his condition, including whether it is related to service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional development, including obtaining a VA medical opinion regarding the Veteran's neck disability and its relationship to her service-connected low back disability and right lower extremity disability. The issues of reopening claims for service connection for headaches, right upper extremity disabilities, and left shoulder disabilities are also being remanded.