Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left wrist disability.

The Board has determined that the current medical opinions are inadequate and remanded for further examination to determine if service connection is warranted for bilateral knee, right shoulder, left wrist, and right wrist disabilities.

The appeal to reconsider the claims of service connection for tendonitis of the right hip, bilateral ankles, right wrist, and thumbs is granted.,The appeal to reconsider the claim of service connection for headaches is granted.,The appeal to reconsider the claim of service connection for chest pain (claimed as chest pain and hypertension) is granted.,The appeal to reconsider the claim of service connection for frequent urination (claimed as an enlarged prostate) is granted.,The appeal to reconsider the claim of service connection for sleep apnea is granted.

The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a right wrist disorder is granted. The case is remanded for further examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to May 21, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right wrist arthritis was denied as the evidence did not show ankylosis, which is required for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for disability manifested by widespread joint and muscle pain (other than chronic lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease, left knee degenerative joint disease, and right wrist strain) has been granted.,Service connection has also been established for insomnia secondary to service-connected sleep apnea. The Veteran's fatigue is being remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy has been dismissed as the claim was already granted in a previous decision. The other issues on appeal have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for right wrist tendonitis and entitlement to total disability rating due to unemployability (TDIU) as they are inextricably intertwined.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel and Guyon syndrome, finding that the Veteran's current condition is at least as likely as not related to his military service. However, the Board denied service connection for a sleep disturbance claimed as secondary to his carpal tunnel and Guyon syndrome due to lack of a diagnosed sleep disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased rating and service connection due to unresolved issues, including whether there is ankylosis of the right wrist.

The Board denied service connection for right and left wrist conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and the Veteran's active service.

The Board has denied service connection for carpal tunnel of the left hand, migraines, varicose veins of the left leg, GERD, and vertigo due to lack of current diagnoses. The case is remanded for further examination and evaluation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate addendum opinions regarding the Veteran's left wrist condition and the level of care provided by VA in 2015.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for PTSD, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and left carpal tunnel syndrome have been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for fibromyalgia was dismissed.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen claims for service connection of various disabilities, including hip, shoulder, and back conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral ankle degenerative joint disease and for his bilateral shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, and neck disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various upper extremity disabilities, including wrist, forearm, humerus, elbow, and shoulder conditions, all of which are deemed secondary to his service-connected right thumb disability. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left shoulder and left hand disabilities, including carpal tunnel syndrome, as secondary to a service-connected right knee disability due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection of his right shoulder, left wrist, right knee, left knee, right ankle, and left ankle disabilities as he withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.