Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including right knee disability, skin disability, low back disability with sciatica, acquired psychiatric disability (bipolar disorder), and left wrist disability. The decision found that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board has determined that a new examination is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left knee and left wrist disabilities, as these issues are inextricably intertwined with the remanded claims.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to December 30, 2013, for increased disability ratings of various service-connected conditions have been denied. The Board found no evidence that the Veteran initiated his claims before this date.

The Board has granted service connection for TBI and remanded the issues of service connection for acquired psychiatric disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claims for increased PTSD rating and service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome are remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for right wrist injury and right knee condition, thus denying service connection.,The Board has also determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of degenerative arthritis of the spine. The Board has therefore denied service connection for this condition as well.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, numbness of the left arm and hand (carpal tunnel syndrome), numbness of the right arm and hand, condition of the left knee, condition of the right knee, back pain, and acid reflux. The evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions were related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of VA records from the Veteran's active duty period and subsequent treatment. The claims will be reviewed again with these additional records.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and opinion regarding whether the Veteran requires regular aid and attendance or is housebound due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection and increased ratings, except for the right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome which remains on appeal.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for a neck disorder. The Veteran's high cholesterol is not considered a disability warranting VA compensation benefits, as it is merely a laboratory finding. The claims for right shoulder disability, neck disorder, right elbow disorder, and right carpal tunnel syndrome are all remanded for further development.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension, diabetes mellitus, sleep apnea, right wrist ganglion cyst, and left wrist ganglion cyst as there is no evidence of in-service injury or disease related to these conditions. The Veteran's claims are remanded for a VA examination to determine the etiology of his back disability.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including arthritis in his hands and fingers, a psychiatric disorder, arthritis of his hips, cervical spine, left knee, wrists, and right knee. The issues of arthritis of the bilateral hips, cervical spine, left knee, and bilateral wrists have been remanded due to insufficient medical opinions. The issue of hypertension has also been remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head. The Board found that his service-connected disabilities did not contribute substantially or materially to his death, and he did not meet the criteria for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C. § 1318.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a bilateral hand/wrist disability and a psychiatric disability due to incomplete records from the Tampa VAMC. The Veteran is asked to provide additional records, including those from the Tampa VAMC, and an addendum opinion will be requested.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip, left hip, and left wrist disabilities. The claims are remanded to allow for further development of evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including TBI residuals, PTSD, hearing loss, ocular migraine headaches, cervical spine disability, skin cancer, and others, were denied as the evidence did not support a causal relationship between these conditions and her military service.

The Veteran's right hand disability, including arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome, may have developed after service. The Board has ordered further examination to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disability and remanded the right wrist disability claim. The left wrist disability claim was denied.

The Veteran's injuries were related to his service-connected PTSD and the medical emergency was deemed hazardous, warranting payment for unauthorized medical expenses incurred at St. John’s Medical Center in Longview, Washington from February 20, 1999 to February 23, 1999.