Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's current carpal tunnel syndrome is related to his in-service injury.

The Veteran's right wrist strain is being remanded for a VA examination to assess the current severity and manifestations of his service-connected condition. The TDIU issue prior to December 14, 2017 is also being remanded as it could impact the rating decision.

The Veteran's left achilles tendon rupture, status post tendon repair, is rated at 20 percent. The Veteran's left wrist fracture residuals are rated at 10 percent. Both issues are remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's facial seborrheic dermatitis is rated at 10 percent, as it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the old or new criteria.,The Veteran's left wrist chronic sprain is rated at 10 percent due to painful motion. The examination did not show ankylosis or other conditions warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all issues except service connection for sinusitis, which was dismissed. The remaining appeals were also dismissed as the Veteran expressed satisfaction with his current combined disability rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss, wrist condition, sleep apnea, and PTSD have been denied. The claim for service connection for the residuals of a head injury is being remanded.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for left eye condition and right eye condition are also being remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an effective date prior to February 1, 2015, for the start of payment of disability compensation based on his service-connected disabilities. The effective date of the grants of service connection was January 1, 2015, but actual payment began on February 1, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right wrist scar is rated at 10 percent, and the issue remains on appeal. The Veteran's right ulnar neuropathy is granted a 40 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and compensation benefits were denied. The left ankle scars received a noncompensable rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral wrist disorders, including carpal tunnel syndrome and carpal laxity, began in service and have continued after service. The decision grants service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability based on service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for tendonitis has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,All other claims have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and/or a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left wrist ganglion cyst and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee strain are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

Service connection for an adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood has been granted.,A compensable rating of 10 percent is granted for the left hand fourth finger strain status post injury (left finger disability).,A higher than 10 percent rating is denied for the left wrist condition status post fracture (left wrist disability).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left wrist and back disabilities due to incomplete development. The Veteran asserts that his current left wrist disability is related to a fall in September 2001, which he attributes to his right knee or right ankle 'giving out'. For the back claim, the Veteran asserts that his back disability is caused by falls involving his right knee and/or right ankle.

Service connection is granted for residuals of a left index finger injury. Service connection for left and right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome are remanded.

The Veteran's right wrist ganglion cyst scar is not rated as compensable due to lack of instability or pain.,A distinct right wrist cyst was not incurred or aggravated during service, nor caused by a service-connected disability.,Service connection for a hand disorder (osteoarthritis and swelling) is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection and secondary service connection for his right hand disability, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his active military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to deficiencies in previous VA medical opinions. The case must be returned to obtain new VA medical opinions addressing the nature and etiology of his lumbar spine, cervical spine, right arm, and left wrist disorders.