Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Board denied service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis was not etiologically related to his military service. The temporary total evaluation for surgery due to CTS was also denied.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the March 1980 or February 2009 rating decisions regarding service connection for various conditions. The claims were denied based on a lack of evidence supporting these conditions during service.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and rating determinations. The Veteran's right hand ganglion cyst claim is denied as there is no current diagnosis of a right hand ganglion cyst or disabling residuals thereof other than the service-connected scar from the ganglion cyst in service.

The Board has denied service connection for compression of spinal cord, epididymitis, right side, and abscess on vocal cord. The remaining issues are REMANDED for further development.

The Veteran's depression is granted as secondary to his service-connected wrist disability, and a 40 percent rating for the left wrist disorder is granted effective February 20, 2013. The issue of entitlement to TDIU has been raised.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is granted a 50% evaluation as of February 6, 2017. The Veteran's hemorrhoids are not rated higher than noncompensable.

The Veteran was granted an initial evaluation of 50 percent for migraines, but denied evaluations in excess of the current 10 percent rating for chondromalacia patellae/patellofemoral syndrome and residuals of traumatic brain injury. The Veteran's carpal tunnel status post carpal tunnel release with cubital tunnel syndrome was granted an initial evaluation of 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he requested withdrawal of all issues on appeal.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral knee, ankle, shoulder, elbow, and wrist conditions claimed as due to exposure to hazards during the Persian Gulf War. The Veteran's joint pain is attributed to his service-connected fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's petition to reopen her claim for service connection for a left wrist condition was granted, and she is now entitled to service connection for this condition.,Service connection was also granted for migraine headaches, which the Board found were secondary to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new evidence being associated with his case and a need for additional examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and remanded the cases for further development regarding right wrist fracture residuals, asthma, and TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for carpal tunnel syndrome and peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity due to service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Veteran needs to provide private treatment records, and a new VA examination is required to determine if these conditions are related to his service-connected diabetes.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left and right lower extremity radiculopathy, as well as his right foot, cervical spine, right hip, and right leg disabilities are granted. The Veteran’s right wrist disability claim is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including rheumatoid arthritis, fibromyalgia, achilles tendonitis, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, low back disability, pes planus, bilateral hearing loss, sleep apnea, edema of the lower extremities, residuals of a head injury, migraine headaches, carpal tunnel syndrome, sciatica of the left leg, and psychiatric disorder manifested by a head injury, all related to Reserve service. The Board found that there was no evidence of disease or injury incurred in or aggravated during ACDUTRA or INACDUTRA.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to issues with determining a higher rating for the left wrist disability and assigning an effective date for service connection of left arm neuropathy.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, hypertension, neurological disorders of the lower and upper extremities are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his bilateral knee conditions and service connection for low back disability and wrist disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right wrist disability is denied. A separate rating of 30 percent, but no higher, for peripheral neuropathy with ulnar nerve involvement of the right upper extremity is granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen claims for service connection for right knee disorder, right wrist fracture/ganglion of the right wrist, and dorsal spine injury. These issues are now remanded for further development.