Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Board has granted service connection for right hip pain, right wrist CTS, and left wrist CTS. The Veteran's right hip pain is secondary to his service-connected sacroiliitis. His right wrist CTS and left wrist CTS are considered due to in-service ganglion cyst surgeries.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues include carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity, an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), a lower back disorder, migraines, a right shoulder disorder, TBI, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The Board finds that the Veteran had tinnitus during active service and continues to have it, granting his claim. For right wrist pain, the case is remanded as further examination is needed to determine if it is related to service or a symptom of the already service-connected condition.

The Veteran's bilateral shoulder, hand, and wrist conditions are granted as secondary to his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for cellulitis has been denied. The claims for right shoulder and wrist conditions, as well as the TMJ disorder disability rating, have been remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding his carpal tunnel syndrome and cubital tunnel syndrome. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for diabetes mellitus, type II with erectile dysfunction, status post left shoulder arthroplasty, and service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome are being returned to the Board.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate medical opinions provided by VA examiners.

The Veteran's appeal is denied as his diabetes mellitus, type II, and carpal tunnel syndrome of the right and left upper extremities do not meet or approximate criteria for higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that the evidence did not support a finding of direct or secondary service connection.

The Veteran's disability rating for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand has been increased to 30 percent effective December 10, 2013. The decision also confirms that a 30 percent rating is appropriate throughout the period on appeal.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for right wrist and right knee disabilities have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining Social Security records and scheduling VA examinations to assess the left wrist disability and service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for non-service-connected pension has been withdrawn.,The Board is remanding the issues of service connection for bilateral wrist disability, lower-back condition, sleep apnea disorder (to include as secondary to PTSD), bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral knee condition.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and TDIU have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these claims. The remaining issues are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for left elbow tendonitis, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and secondary left carpal tunnel syndrome to now service-connected right carpal tunnel syndrome. The Veteran's symptoms have been consistent throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's right wrist condition is granted as service connected due to an injury during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the issues of entitlement to service connection for a bilateral wrist disorder and gastrointestinal disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board reinstated the 20 percent rating for left carpal tunnel syndrome effective February 8, 2010. The issue of an earlier effective date was rendered moot due to the reinstatement.

The Veteran's appeals for COPD, bilateral shoulder conditions, Peyronie's disease, skin cancer, right heel disability, peripheral artery disease of the bilateral lower extremities, entitlement to a compensable rating for residuals of a rib fracture, and earlier effective date prior to February 28, 2013 for the award of service connection for a rib fracture residual were dismissed. The Veteran's esophageal stricture was granted with a 50% disability rating. Service connection for coronary artery disease, osteoarthritis of the right wrist, and bilateral knees was also granted.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus was documented at the time of his initial enlistment, and there is no evidence indicating that it underwent an aggravation during service. The Board finds that the condition has not been permanently aggravated beyond its natural progression by his service.,Service connection for a low back disorder is remanded due to the need for clarification on whether the in-service complaint had been considered.,The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was diagnosed at least several years earlier than during service, and this matter must be remanded for an addendum opinion clarifying that the complete factual record has been considered.,Service connection for a sinus disorder is remanded due to the need for clarification on whether the Veteran had such a condition during the appeal period that resolved prior to the more recent examinations.,The Veteran's allergic rhinitis was not diagnosed at the time of the VA examination, and this matter must be remanded for an addendum opinion clarifying whether he had such a condition during the appeal period.,Service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome is remanded due to the need for clarification on whether the Veteran's condition is proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected left wrist disability.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, must be remanded due to the need for an appropriate records search and examination regarding a verified in-service stressor.