Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's right wrist ganglion cyst and right wrist scar from ganglion cyst removal have worsened since their last VA examinations. The Board finds that a more contemporaneous medical examination is warranted, including an assessment of functional limitations during flare-ups.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his left knee osteoarthritis, right wrist strain, patellar tracking disorder, and meniscus tear. Additional evidence was added since the July 2018 SOC, including VA medical records from April and June 2019, and a May 2019 VA examination record. The Veteran's claims will be remanded for further review of this additional evidence.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is proximately due to service-connected conditions, including asthma and depressive disorder. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, type II and right wrist disability due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's representative contends there is a relationship between his sleep impairment related to PTSD and his diabetes. A new VA examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of both conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding functional loss during flare-ups for the right knee condition. The claim for service connection and TDIU rating is pending.

The Board has granted service connection for right hip osteoarthritis, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD). The Veteran's major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder are found to be related to her service-connected PTSD. A 30 percent disability rating is assigned for left hip osteoarthritis with limitation of flexion.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for residuals of corneal abrasions, pterygium, a bilateral hand rash, and left wrist infection have been dismissed. The claim for tinea pedis of the right foot was also dismissed.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for linear appendectomy scars and right wrist disability have been dismissed. The appeal for residuals of appendectomy has been remanded.

The Board has found that a remand is warranted for new VA examinations to assess the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected knee disabilities and right wrist disability due to evidence of worsening since the last VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, a back disability, a left wrist disability, and a right wrist disability due to inadequate VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates have been withdrawn. A TDIU rating is granted from June 10, 2014, based on his service-connected right median nerve laceration.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to December 14, 2015 for the grant of service connection for left wrist median nerve entrapment at the carpal tunnel was denied. The Board also found that the Veteran's right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome claim should be remanded due to a lack of nexus opinion addressing causation and aggravation by his service-connected left hand condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various upper extremity and cervical spine disabilities due to a lack of an examination addressing whether these conditions are related to his service-connected right thumb disability or if they are aggravated by it. The Veteran also needs a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected right thumb disability.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right and left elbow braces are entitled to annual clothing allowances. The issue of a clothing allowance for topical pain medication (steroid cream) is remanded due to unclear reference in the SOC.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of any current right hand disability, including carpal tunnel syndrome. A new VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's current condition is related to his service.

The Board has dismissed the appeals to reopen claims of service connection for various conditions and seeks a compensable rating for a right buttock hematoma, as well as the appeals seeking increased ratings for knee disabilities. The Veteran's representative withdrew his appeals in these matters.

The Veteran withdrew all of his appeals regarding the service connection for left knee disability, left hand carpal tunnel syndrome, and other conditions. The Board has dismissed the appeal as there are no remaining issues to consider.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including rating reductions and earlier effective dates. The specific claims include right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, chronic thoracolumbar spine strain, cervical spine strain with degenerative arthritis and intervertebral disc syndrome, major depressive disorder, right ankle posttraumatic degenerative changes, left hand scar, right hip degenerative joint disease, ear nerve damage, left wrist flexor tendinitis, right wrist flexor tendinitis, tinnitus, left knee condition, bilateral hearing loss, sleep disorder, arthritis of the wrists and hands associated with service-connected carpel tunnel syndrome, type II diabetes mellitus. The Board has not reached a decision on these claims at this time.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (MDD and PTSD) is granted service connection. The left wrist fracture, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy are all rated at 10 percent.