Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for her residual surgical scar status post ganglion cyst removal have been denied. Her right shoulder and right wrist CTS issues are remanded.,The Board has referred the Veteran’s claims of entitlement to service connection for a right shoulder disability and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) of the right wrist, as these matters require additional development.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for right wrist disability and IBS, as well as the effective dates for PTSD and DEA benefits, have been dismissed.

The Board has decided that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right hand disorder other than carpal tunnel syndrome and residuals of frostbite to the hands. The case will be returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the threshold schedular TDIU criteria and have resolved all doubt in favor of the claim, granting a TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for extraschedular ratings and TDIU were denied due to his failure to report for necessary VA examinations.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for service connection for left wrist disability, cervical spine disability, and right wrist disability including CTS. The appeals of service connection for heart disease, erectile dysfunction, diabetes mellitus, neuropathy of the upper extremities, and PTSD are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found insufficient evidence to support the Veteran’s assertions of in-service injury or current disability, leading to a denial of his claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD with depressive disorder and gastritis were dismissed as the Veteran requested withdrawal of these claims.,New evidence was received to reopen claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and hypertension.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various disabilities have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.,The Veteran has withdrawn all issues except for entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability, right knee disability, back disability, neck disability, sleep disability, and hypertension.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for a neck disorder, left knee disorder, and left wrist disorder due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Veteran's neuropathy of the left and right lower extremities are granted as secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus, type II. The issues of gout of the right and left feet, and a right wrist disorder remain remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to September 30, 2015 for the grant of service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, left wrist sprain (non-dominant), right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and right shin splints with stress fractures was denied. The effective date is set at September 30, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to follow a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left elbow disability, right elbow disability, bilateral upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, and PTSD. The claim for increased rating of tinnitus was also denied.

The Board has determined that new examinations are necessary to evaluate the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including her right elbow condition, left knee condition, bilateral ankle conditions, TBI (head trauma), bilateral wrist ulnar neuritis, and migraines. The Veteran is also asked to provide any relevant private treatment records or other evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for migraine headaches and left/right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of a left wrist fracture due to insufficient range of motion findings and lack of retrospective medical opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected right wrist strain, peripheral autonomic neuropathy, and PTSD have been denied. The denial is based on the current level of disability as supported by medical evidence.

The Veteran's left wrist ganglion cyst is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board has granted a separate initial rating of 10 percent for painful motion of the left wrist, finding that this disability is related to service and not contemplated by the current rating.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for various conditions and mental health disorders. The specific issues include fibromyalgia, left shoulder condition, left side back condition, cervical spine condition, left hand muscle failure, hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, total abdominal hysterectomy, skin condition, headaches (including as secondary to seizures), carpal tunnel syndromes, seizures (to include as secondary to an acquired psychiatric disorder), memory loss, and an acquired psychiatric disorder. The Board also requested additional evidence related to the Veteran's claims for service connection based on personal assault.