Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran withdrew their appeals regarding the claims for sleep apnea, left elbow carpal tunnel syndrome, right elbow carpal tunnel syndrome, left hand carpal tunnel syndrome, right hand carpal tunnel syndrome, a left knee disability, and a right knee disability. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from August 6, 2008 due to the Veteran's service-connected right knee disability.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral wrist and hand disability was incurred during his service in Iraq, granting his claim for service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), finding that there is no current diagnosis of CTS or persistent symptoms resulting in functional impairment.,The Board granted readjudication of the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, finding new and relevant evidence to support reopening the claim. The rating assigned was 10 percent for each foot due to degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for left wrist pain and right wrist sprain, leading to the dismissal of these claims.

The appeal for neck pain pinched nerve severe arthritis cervical spine is dismissed as a matter of law. Service connection and increased ratings are granted for major depression, mental disorder anxiety and PTSD, carpal tunnel syndrome (both wrists), and migraine including migraine variants.

The Board has denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder, left shoulder, and left carpal tunnel syndrome.,There is no indication that any of these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's left and right carpal tunnel syndrome have been granted increased ratings to 20% and 30%, respectively, effective from the date of the decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip condition, right hip condition, and right wrist condition must be remanded due to insufficient evidence. The claim for PTSD remains denied as there is an inadequate VA examination opinion.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome and low back pain, finding that there is no evidence of a chronic disease or injury in service or within one year after separation from service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his service-connected left wrist disability has been dismissed due to the death of the Veteran during the pendency of the appeal.

The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome was diagnosed during service and has continued to the present. The Board granted service connection for this condition, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise that it began in service.

The Veteran requested to withdraw her appeal regarding the earlier effective date for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis affecting various fingers and wrists. The Board dismissed the appeals as per the Veteran's request.

The Board dismissed the appeals of the deferred issues regarding entitlement to compensation for various conditions, including dry eye syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), left carpal tunnel, a left knee disability, a back disability, pseudofolliculitis barbae, right carpal tunnel, and a right knee disability. The evidence did not support the presence of these conditions at any time during or approximate to the pendency of the claims.

The appeal for service connection of a right arm disability, right foot disability, left shoulder disability, and contusion of scrotum is dismissed as the Veteran did not file an appeal within one year of the July 2013 rating decision.

The Board has granted service connection for ganglion cysts of both the right and left wrists, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to his active military service.

The Veteran is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance since August 10, 2007 due to service-connected bilateral upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The SMC was also granted effective March 21, 2011 for the need of aid and attendance due to a service-connected depressive disorder.

The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome, left upper extremity, status post carpal tunnel release is granted an initial rating of 60 percent. Service connection for right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome is also granted.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, headaches, cervical spine condition (neck condition), left ankle condition, left elbow condition, left knee condition, and left shoulder condition as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.,The Veteran's assertions regarding the onset of his claimed conditions were not supported by medical evidence or service records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral feet conditions (to include bone spurs), and obstructive sleep apnea due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error.