Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of a right wrist disorder, service connection for PTSD, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities. The remand is necessary to obtain missing military personnel records related to disciplinary actions and arrests during service, as well as additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for migraine headaches and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome are being remanded due to the absence of a VA examination addressing these issues. The Veteran must be provided with a medical opinion regarding whether her conditions are related to or aggravated by her service-connected disabilities, including her neck strain, right shoulder strain, left shoulder impingement, and repetitive typing as part of her MOS.

The appeal to establish that a Substantive Appeal of the September 29, 2014 rating decision was timely filed is granted. The Veteran's claim for an increased rating and effective date prior to January 9, 2013, for SMC at the housebound rate is denied.

The Veteran's status post ganglion cyst of the left wrist was evaluated at a 10 percent rating since September 21, 2007. The Board found that her range of motion did not warrant an increased rating as she did not have unfavorable or favorable ankylosis.

The Veteran's service connection claims for degenerative disc disease of the spine and degenerative joint disease of the left wrist are granted. The Board has remanded the cases for further examinations to determine appropriate ratings for right ear hearing loss and acid reflux/gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The Veteran's right volar wrist scar and GERD were granted initial ratings, with the right volar wrist scar receiving a 10% rating effective March 14, 2017. The GERD was granted a 30% rating from February 26, 2018.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, a left foot bottom condition, and a right foot bottom condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left wrist, left knee, right knee, and left ankle degenerative joint disease. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to active service.,There was no in-service diagnosis or treatment of any knee or wrist condition, and the VA examinations found current diagnoses of degenerative joint disease (arthritis) which were attributed to normal aging rather than service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are being remanded as there are outstanding treatment records that have not yet been associated with the claims file.,Further examination and opinion may be needed to determine if any of the claimed disabilities are related to military service.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral knee disability, right shoulder disability, bilateral wrist arthralgia, bilateral elbow disability, cervical spine disability, and gastrointestinal disability (IBS), due to undiagnosed illness.,These matters are being returned to the Board for further action.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for bilateral wrist disability due to new evidence received since the last denial. The claims of service connection for lumbar spine, cervical spine, and headaches disabilities are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral elbow, wrist, and knee disabilities under 38 C.F.R. § 3.317 as undiagnosed illnesses or chronic multisymptom illnesses due to an inadequate May 2016 VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right wrist extensor tendonitis and left knee chondromalacia were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on functional loss or ankylosis.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for valvular heart disease, effective September 1, 2013. The gallbladder disability is rated as noncompensable.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if service connection can be established for left hand/wrist disability, left achilles tendonitis, and acquired psychiatric disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inconsistencies in the evidence regarding whether the Veteran has bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and its relationship to service or diabetes.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea had its onset during service and is granted. The Board also found that the Veteran has right knee, ankle, and foot disorders, a right wrist condition (including ganglion cyst and carpal tunnel syndrome), hemorrhoids, a scar on his thigh, and residuals of skin cancer of the left cheek/nose, all related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and bilateral thumb degenerative joint disease, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right wrist disability and right hand tendinosis, other than scaphoid ligament strain of the right thumb. The evidence does not support current diagnoses or chronic conditions related to these issues.

The Veteran's bilateral flat feet, insomnia, right ankle disability, low back disability, bilateral hip disabilities, and bilateral wrist disabilities are not service-connected.,The Veteran’s current insomnia is considered a component of her service-connected PTSD.