Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and initial ratings have been denied. The Board found that the criteria for an earlier effective date were not met, as the effective date assigned was the day following discharge from service. For other issues, no higher rating could be assigned based on current evidence.

The Board has decided that additional development is needed before the claims for service connection for left wrist and low back disorders can be adjudicated. The Veteran's symptoms of pain and functional limitations may have been incurred in active service, warranting VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for a right wrist disability and a right thigh/hip disability, finding that the evidence did not support a nexus between current conditions and service. The Veteran's assertions were outweighed by medical evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA medical opinion to address all pertinent evidence of record, including the Veteran's credible testimony of a continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral foot onychomycosis has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD, is denied due to lack of a current diagnosis and credible supporting evidence that the claimed in-service stressor actually occurred.

The Veteran's service-connected left wrist and right knee disabilities are rated at 10% each. The Board has remanded the cases for further development to obtain medical records and allow the Veteran another opportunity to submit a private DBQ supporting his claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his right wrist disability is being remanded due to the need for additional examination and evaluation.

The Board has decided that a new VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's left wrist disorder and whether it is related to his service-connected right wrist disability.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death during the appeal process.

Service connection for right wrist arthritis is denied as the Veteran's pre-existing condition did not manifest during service or within one year of separation.,Service connection for disability manifested by right hip pain is remanded due to potential secondary service connection with obesity caused by service-connected lumbar spine disability and associated radiculopathy.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions, including peripheral neuropathy and GERD. The effective date for an increased rating of PTSD remains denied.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus is granted as service-connected.,Increased ratings are required for cervical spine DJD, right shoulder arthritis, sarcoidosis, and bilateral pinguecula.,Service connection is denied for fibromyalgia, polyarthritis (claimed as polyarthritis), chronic fatigue syndrome, respiratory disability, and sleep disability. Additional examinations are needed to determine the etiology of these conditions.,The Veteran's knee scars, right elbow disability, left great toe disability, low back disability, bilateral hip disability, bilateral wrist disability, and bilateral ankle disability are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's service records show upper extremity pain complaints, including right forearm and left hand pain. The VA is remanding the case to determine if his current CTS was incurred in service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to insufficient medical opinions and evidence of record.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development and examination, including service connection claims for various conditions. The Veteran's claim to reopen his bilateral hearing loss claim is granted.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral foot condition, right hand carpal tunnel syndrome (recharacterized), left hand carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral knee condition, and low back condition due to new and material evidence. The claims are remanded for further development including VA examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee strain and tinnitus, but denied service connection for left-hand disability, left wrist disability, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's requests to reopen service connection claims for various conditions were denied. The Board also remanded several issues, including a low back disability rating and hypertension rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an extraschedular rating for his service-connected right wrist disability, finding that the evidence did not demonstrate an exceptional or unusual disability picture with marked interference with employment or frequent hospitalization.