Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected.,Service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and a periodontal condition (claimed as periodontal/gum condition) are denied. The Veteran's knee condition remains in dispute.

The Veteran's service-connected right foot great toe, right wrist, right knee, and lower back disabilities are being remanded for additional evaluations to determine their current severity.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, but further development is needed including obtaining Social Security records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Veteran's right wrist disability has been rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds no evidence to warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran's left knee patellofemoral syndrome has been rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds no evidence to warrant a higher rating.,The Veteran's right knee patellofemoral syndrome has been rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds no evidence to warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left and right carpal tunnel syndrome was dismissed because the Veteran requested withdrawal of his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal, and the Board has dismissed it.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a new opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's left wrist disability is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board finds that a new examination is needed to fully and fairly evaluate his claim due to evidence of an increase in severity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and respiratory disability (chronic sinusitis) due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset or etiology in service. The claim for obstructive sleep apnea remains denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to incomplete development of records, including from private sources. The VA must obtain additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of all current left wrist and elbow disorders, as well as neurological disorders of the left upper extremity.

The Veteran's claims for an extraschedular rating and TDIU have been remanded due to procedural issues, including the failure of VA correspondence to reach him. The Veteran will be offered another hearing before a VLJ and his VA treatment records need to be obtained.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions, including myxoid liposarcoma and lymphedema. The issues were not addressed based on a presumption due to exposure to ionizing radiation or other specific service environment.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a left shoulder disability, chronic right hip strain, limitation of extension of the right hip, and limitation of flexion of the right hip due to lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or disease.,The Veteran's claim for earlier effective dates for his right hip disabilities is also remanded as there is no clear indication that he had a right hip disability prior to March 7, 2017.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that there was no evidence of a disease or injury to the hands or wrists in service and that the current diagnosis is not related to service.,The Board also denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 40 percent for degenerative disc disease (DDD) of the lumbar spine. The Board found that there was no evidence of unfavorable ankylosis, which would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal.

Service connection is granted for cervical spine and right shoulder disabilities.,Service connection is granted for a respiratory disability (mild restrictive lung disease).,Service connection is denied for right hand carpal tunnel syndrome with arthritis, as there is no current diagnosis or medical nexus to service.,Service connection is denied for chronic headaches, as the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis and there is insufficient evidence of a link to service.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and other ear disorders. The remaining issues are also being remanded.

The Board has determined that the VA medical opinions are inadequate to decide the appeal regarding service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and its aggravation by diabetes mellitus. The case is being remanded for further clarification of these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation as of June 1, 2008.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected.,Issues regarding bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, and right wrist disability are remanded for further examination and analysis.