Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for residuals of a fractured left wrist with residual scar is being remanded due to the need for additional examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea. The Veteran is seeking service connection for sleep apnea, left wrist condition, and left knee disability.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a right wrist disorder, bilateral pes planus, left and right ankle disorders, and low back disorder due to additional development being needed.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss was denied, and his claim for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is remanded for further examination.

The Board denied service connection for a right leg disability and denied increased ratings for various upper extremity disabilities due to the Amputation Rule, which limits combined ratings for disabilities of an extremity.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's bilateral knee pain, ankle pain, and carpal tunnel syndrome were not shown to have begun during service or be related to in-service injury or disease.,Hypercholesterolemia is a laboratory finding without underlying disability. The claim for this condition is denied.,Hypertension was not shown within the first post-service year and there is no evidence of its onset during service. The claim is denied.,Dyspnea (shortness of breath) was not shown within the first post-service year and there is no evidence of its onset during service. The claim is denied.,The Veteran's heart disabilities were not shown to have begun during service or be related to in-service injury or disease. The claims are denied.

Effective dates of August 2, 2010 have been granted for all service-connected conditions and benefits.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected right hand scar, effective from the date of claim. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus and right wrist fracture with arthritis and deformity remain denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations. The issues include recurrent skin disabilities, foot disabilities, arthritis of the knees, tinnitus, carpal tunnel syndromes, gout, hypertension, vascular disabilities, pulmonary disability, prostate disability, hernia disability, and left ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis is granted service connection and an effective date of July 6, 2012.,An unspecified anxiety disorder is granted service connection with an effective date of July 6, 2012.,GERD is granted service connection with an effective date of May 4, 2015.,The Veteran's left wrist disability and right foot and left foot frostbite residuals are remanded for further action regarding earlier effective dates.,Right foot and left foot frostbite residuals with degenerative changes are also remanded for further action regarding earlier effective dates.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back disability, sciatica, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and psychiatric disability is granted as new and material evidence has been submitted. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's right knee DJD has been established through service connection and is considered for compensation.,New evidence received supports reopening of claims for right wrist condition, DMII (diabetes mellitus type II), and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee arthritis and a left wrist disorder due to inadequate opinions in the December 2012 VA examinations.

Your appeals for increased disability ratings and TDIU have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death. The Board has no jurisdiction to proceed with these matters.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted service connection for tinnitus. The remaining claims of entitlement to service connection for right foot injury, right finger deformity, right wrist injury, depression with alcohol abuse, and a back condition are remanded.,An addendum opinion is needed regarding the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected left knee degenerative joint disease.

The Board denied service connection for a right wrist condition due to the lack of evidence showing a causal relationship between the Veteran's current condition and his military service. The examiner found that the condition is more likely due to natural use over time, not related to any in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right wrist and right hand disorders due to insufficient evidence in the current record. The Veteran's service treatment records show a contusion from running into a door, but his post-service VA treatment indicates he has symptoms of radial tunnel syndrome and weakness.

The Veteran's bipolar disorder is granted as incurred in service. The Veteran's left wrist osteoarthritis is remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to properly adjudicate the Veteran's service connection claims, including obtaining updated VA treatment records and conducting new examinations. The Veteran's hearing loss disability claim also requires a new examination.