Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical examination and lack of private treatment records. The Veteran's left wrist tendonitis is related to service, but a new VA examiner must provide an opinion considering all relevant evidence.

The Veteran's request to restore a 30% rating for left knee limitation of extension was granted. A separate claim for a 10% rating during the period between December 1, 2015 and March 14, 2019 was also granted. However, any claims seeking ratings higher than 20% for left knee limitation of extension after March 14, 2019 were denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including left knee disability, right knee disability, heart condition, right wrist disability, and right toe disability. The Veteran is to be scheduled for VA examinations in order to determine if his current disabilities are related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right-hand arthritis, a right ankle disability, right CTS, headaches, and residuals of frostbite. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of right wrist and bilateral knee disorders have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for her left ring finger disability has been remanded.,The Veteran's claims for service connection of a right thumb disorder, right index finger disorder, low back disorder, and right great toe and foot disorder have been remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of dermatitis has been remanded.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of a headache disorder secondary to her service-connected allergic rhinitis has been remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for jaw condition, left shoulder disability, bilateral wrist disability, acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and schizophrenia), left hip disability, sleep apnea, and arthritis of various joints. The appeals are granted.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted for increased special monthly compensation.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for secondary service connection for his left wrist ligament surgery, finding that it was proximately caused by his service-connected left ankle disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including sacroiliitis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), traumatic brain injury residuals, left wrist disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, narcolepsy, and fibromyalgia have all been denied. The Board found no evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service incurrence of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for back, wrist, knee, finger, and neck disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to military service.,The VA examinations did not provide sufficient information regarding the etiology of the claimed conditions.

The Board dismissed all the appeals due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current bilateral hearing loss disability.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left ankle arthritis is denied due to lack of limitation of motion and no evidence of pain or other symptoms that would warrant higher ratings under the applicable diagnostic codes.,The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits is denied as he did not serve during a period of war, nor was his service connected with any disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is remanded to obtain additional VA and private treatment records that may be pertinent to the claim.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for right wrist sprain is remanded to obtain an addendum medical opinion from the March 2017 VA examiner regarding whether any preexisting right distal radius fracture was aggravated by active duty service.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded to obtain additional VA and private treatment records that may be pertinent to the claim.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including left shoulder and wrist conditions, maxillary sinus fracture with hypersensitivity, and PTSD. The remand requests additional medical opinions on nerve damage from a maxillary sinus fracture and progression of shoulder disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were denied. The right wrist osteoarthritis claim was denied as the condition does not meet criteria for a higher rating, while the PTSD with anxiety, panic attacks and depression claim resulted in an earlier effective date of November 29, 2011.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a positive purified protein derivative test, left foot compartment syndrome, and right foot plantar fasciitis. The issues of service connection for left shoulder tendonitis and right wrist tendonitis have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left shoulder disorder, heart disease, residuals of a head injury other than headaches, right and left CTS due to failure to provide VA medical opinions and examinations as requested in prior remands. The rating issues related to temporary total ratings for bilateral CTS are also remanded as they are dependent on the outcome of these service connection issues.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for residuals of a right wrist injury and residuals of a head injury due to incomplete medical records and the need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for shin splints, neuropathy of the right upper extremity, neuropathy of the left upper extremity, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and a right shoulder condition due to insufficient evidence. The Veteran's current diagnoses are not established.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection due to new and material evidence, but the issues of service connection for myotonic dystrophy, left demyelinating median motor mononeuropathy, and left carpal tunnel syndrome remain remanded for further development.

The Board has found that additional development is needed due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as inadequate examinations for the claims of service connection for bilateral knees, right shoulder impingement, lumbar spine strain, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.