Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for bilateral knee disability, lumbar spine disability, osteoarthritis of bilateral hand, carpal tunnel syndrome of bilateral wrist, and gastroesophageal reflux disease as these conditions were not shown to be related to active military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right wrist and hand muscle spasms, left shoulder condition, and psychiatric condition incurred during his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims due to lack of substantial compliance with previous directives and legal inadequacies in the VA examiners' opinions. The claims are now pending for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the case due to uncertainty about whether the Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis is distinct from his service-connected right wrist fracture, and if so, whether it is caused or aggravated by that condition.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome as the evidence did not show it began during active service or was related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a chronic right wrist sprain is denied as he is already receiving the maximum disability rating based on limitation of motion, and there is no evidence of ankylosis.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings in excess of the assigned disability ratings have been dismissed.,Service connection has been granted for major depressive disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for entitlement to service connection for a low back disability and whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen her claim for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome due to inadequate examination reports and procedural issues.

The Veteran's Raynaud's syndrome and wrist disabilities have been rated based on their specific manifestations, with separate ratings for muscle impairment affecting dexterity and grip strength of the hands. A TDIU has also been granted.

The Veteran's type II diabetes mellitus is presumed to be related to his conceded in-service herbicide agent exposure.,The Veteran's lacunar cerebral infarcts are proximately due to his service-connected type II diabetes mellitus.

The Veteran's appeals for carpal tunnel syndrome, right upper extremity; carpal tunnel syndrome, left upper extremity; and dental disorder have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,The Veteran's appeals for gastroesophageal disorder (including Barrett's disease and acid reflux); back disorder; bilateral foot disorder (Morton's neuroma, metatarsalgia, and hallux rigidus); and right shoulder disorder are remanded.

The Board has decided that the claims for service connection for bilateral upper and lower arm conditions need to be remanded due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The Veteran's request for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right wrist and bilateral knee disabilities are related to his active duty service, granting service connection for both conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right wrist and elbow disorders have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The claim for a right shoulder disorder has been reopened and granted.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his chronic lumbar strain and TDIU was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an evaluation in excess of 20 percent for the lumbar strain, as it did not meet the criteria for such a rating based on limitation of motion or other factors. For the TDIU claim, the Veteran's combined disability rating had already reached 100% due to his service-connected disabilities, including cervical radiculopathy and left knee instability, which precluded him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's right upper extremity condition, including carpal tunnel syndrome and right elbow degenerative joint disease, is related to his active service. The Board granted the claim as reasonable doubt was resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded four separate claims for service connection for arthritis of the right wrist, left wrist, left hand, and right hand due to insufficient evidence in the previous decision.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and denied claims for a higher rating for diabetes mellitus and entitlement to TDIU. The Veteran's current diagnoses of carpal tunnel syndrome were not shown as chronic in service or within the applicable presumptive period, and continuity of symptomatology was not established.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral wrist conditions due to inadequate opinions in the prior VA examinations and a need for additional development.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding service connection for PTSD, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and increased rating for right shoulder strain.