Wrist & hand Board decisions

Service connection granted for sinusitis. Effective date prior to February 19, 2014.,Service connection denied for left and right shin splints. Effective dates prior to February 19, 2014.

The Board has ordered the Veteran to be scheduled for VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed wrist disability, back disability, left eye disability, and posttraumatic stress disorder. The claims are being remanded due to the failure to appear for VA examinations without good cause.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination regarding whether the left wrist disorder is caused or aggravated by service-connected disabilities, particularly right knee and bilateral ankle disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and evaluation, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has decided that the VA examination for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is inadequate and remands the case to obtain a new examination. The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, which is secondary to service-connected degenerative arthritis, will be reconsidered.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral wrist conditions, including carpal tunnel syndrome, as they were not filed in accordance with the Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act (AMA).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right wrist disability, pes planus, and an initial rating higher than 20 percent for left knee disorder. The claim for a separate 10 percent rating for instability of the left knee was granted.

The Board has decided to remand two issues related to the Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome, one for each upper extremity. The decision is based on the need for an addendum medical opinion.

The Veteran's service connection for thyroid cancer is granted. The claim for SMC based on housebound status is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for various knee and wrist disorders, as well as a back disorder. Additional development is needed through VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for right and left wrist pain as there is no current diagnosis of a wrist disorder, nor evidence of functional impairment.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a right ankle scar is denied as there is no diagnosed current disability.,The Veteran's initial compensable rating claim for status-post traumatic deviated nasal septum is denied due to the lack of evidence showing less than 50 percent obstruction on both sides.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been submitted for the claims of service connection for back disability, left wrist disability, and right thumb disability. These claims are being remanded to allow for further review and consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, bilateral achilles bursitis, neck injury, bilateral wrist pain, and leg length discrepancy have all been denied. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions began during active duty or were otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of issues including service connection for ganglion cyst, scars of the right wrist, vision loss, hypertension (secondary to PTSD), rating for PTSD with adjustment disorder and anxiety in excess of 50%, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied service connection for CTS of the left and right wrists, as well as numbness in the toes and fingers of both hands and feet. The evidence did not support a current diagnosis or link to service.,There was no evidence of cold injuries during service that could have caused the Veteran's current symptoms.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have made it impossible for him to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since February 18, 2010.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his service-connected right ankle, low back, and right little finger disabilities. The Veteran also needs a new examination to assess the severity of his right little finger disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic lumbar spine, right and left knee disabilities, and bilateral wrist carpal tunnel syndrome have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability during or prior to the appeal period.,Service connection has also been granted for tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to a failure to obtain VA treatment records from Tampa VAMC and for another addendum medical nexus opinion regarding the Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome.