Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for low back, left ankle, right wrist and throat disabilities due to insufficient examination opinions regarding their etiology. The VA examiners are instructed to provide a clear opinion on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding records and need for additional examinations. The issues include arthritis of the back, wrists, knees, colon condition, and skin cancer.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, right and left upper extremities are being remanded as the VA examiner's opinion is insufficient to adjudicate these claims. The addendum opinion must address whether the bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome was caused or aggravated by his service-connected diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the upper extremities.,The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for diabetic retinopathy with focal laser treatment (previously rated as eye condition) is being remanded. The VA examiner must determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected diabetic retinopathy and whether any other related psychiatric disability, including PTSD, were incurred in or are related to his service.

Service connection is granted for myeloid leukemia due to exposure to Camp Lejeune contaminated water. Other conditions are denied.

The Board has decided to remand several claims for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and conducting examinations to address the Veteran's service connection claims.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is found to have begun during active service and continues to the present, warranting service connection.

The Veteran's petition to reopen her claim for service connection of an abdominal disorder is granted. The appeal is remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's bilateral wrist disorder and abdominal disorder claims.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left wrist scapholunate, lunotriquetral, and TFCC tears. The opinion is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service-connected left wrist fracture or other factors.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of frostbite of the bilateral feet, PTSD, and hypertension. The claims for TBI, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral eye disability, and back disability are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete verification of the appellant's periods of active duty training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty training (INACDUTRA). The lumbar spine disorder, major depressive disorder, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome are all currently diagnosed. The Board instructed that further VA opinion is needed after verifying the service dates.

The Veteran's claims for a left wrist scar, asthma, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are being remanded due to procedural errors in the initial decision. The AOJ is instructed to provide VCAA notice and assist in obtaining any relevant private treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right wrist, cervical and lumbar spine disorders, and a service-connected mental disorder, precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment throughout the appeal period. The claim for TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death, and the Board cannot proceed with the merits of the case.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the right wrist injury and low back disorder claims, resulting in their dismissal.

The Board has denied service connection for left knee, right knee, and right wrist disabilities. The claims for a skin disability of the face and scalp and neck disability are remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluation and service connection have been dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal of these appeals prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as inadequate examinations. The issues of low back disability, right ankle disability, bilateral wrist disability, and left knee disability are now before the Board.

The Veteran's need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, particularly his spine, left hand, left wrist, right hand, right wrist, and bilateral knees, has been established. As a result, the Veteran is entitled to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance of another person.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that he is capable of performing the physical and mental acts required by employment.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The claims were reopened due to new evidence submitted since the June 2012 rating decision.