Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's right wrist disability, which includes a fracture and degenerative joint disease, is currently rated at 30 percent. The Board has granted an increased rating to this level.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a duty to assist error, requiring additional evidence and a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for malaria was reopened and granted. The claim for service connection for right wrist disability was denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that there is no evidence of such condition in service or within one year after separation. The Board also found insufficient evidence to establish continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has denied service connection for cataracts, COPD, aortic aneurysm, right wrist tendonitis, and paroxysmal tachycardia as there is no evidence linking these conditions to service or herbicide exposure. The Veteran's claim for service connection of paroxysmal tachycardia is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a new vocational rehabilitation evaluation to consider his current service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to pursue a nursing degree.

The Board has dismissed appeals for higher ratings for the Veteran's right wrist condition and bilateral hearing loss, as well as service connection claims.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim for service connection of PTSD has been granted. The Board also remanded the cases for further development and examination, including for radiculitis, PTSD, and wrist disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including vomiting, anemia, back pain, cataracts of the eyes, vitreous floaters, left wrist disorder, right foot disorder, left foot disorder, kidney disorder, thyroid disorder, and allergies. The evidence does not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased disability rating for her psychiatric condition and service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome was granted. The Veteran now has a 70 percent disability rating for her major depressive disorder with anxious distress, effective from March 23, 2017. She also received service connection for left and right carpal tunnel syndromes.

All claims for service connection or increased ratings have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeals.

The Board has remanded the case due to missing service treatment records and a VA audiological examination, as well as for an opinion on the etiology of hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, including her service in the U.S. Air Force Reserve and injuries during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right and left upper extremities, as well as radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, were denied. The Veteran's service-connected low back disorder was also denied a higher rating.,The Veteran's service-connected conditions are currently rated at 10 percent each.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected right wrist sprain, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection for left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, left carpal tunnel syndrome and right carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as his claims for increased ratings for left hip strain and tendonitis with painful motion and limited left hip flexion.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative joint disease was granted a rating of 10 percent from November 16, 2008 to November 15, 2009.,From November 16, 2009, to December 27, 2015, the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative joint disease was granted a rating of 40 percent. From December 28, 2015 onwards, it was granted a rating of 40 percent.,The Veteran's left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome was granted a rating of 10 percent from December 15, 2015 onwards.

The Board has determined that new VA examinations are needed to assess the current severity and manifestations of the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine disability, hypertension, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and sleep apnea. The issues of entitlement to initial ratings for these conditions have been remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right shoulder conditions, as well as his right wrist tendonitis and bilateral plantar fasciitis with left heel spur, were all granted a 10 percent disability evaluation for the period from August 1, 2015 to January 19, 2016.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar spine disability, right foot disability, left foot disability, tinnitus, carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist, and carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist. The preponderance of evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during service or were related to in-service injuries.,The Board found no medical evidence linking any current lumbar spine, foot, or wrist disabilities to service.