Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities have been denied as his conditions do not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings under VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is granted as it had its onset during service.,The Veteran's hypertension is denied as there is no evidence of a chronic disability within one year post-service and the condition was not noted in service.

The Board denied service connection for left wrist and right wrist disabilities, finding no current disability. The claim for scoliosis was dismissed as it is a symptom of the Veteran's service-connected degenerative disc disease (DDD).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right wrist disability, an eye disability, and tinea pedis are remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding her service connection claims for various hand, elbow, forearm, and wrist disabilities. The Board will schedule a VA Gulf War examination to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed bilateral elbow, forearm, wrist, and hand pain.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is denied as it is not related to her military service.,Her left upper extremity neurological disability, claimed as carpal tunnel syndrome and trigger thumb, is granted as the preponderance of evidence supports a relationship with her military service.,Her right upper extremity neurological disability, claimed as carpal tunnel syndrome, trigger thumb, and residuals of a ganglion cyst removal, is also granted for similar reasons.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's left wrist disorder existed prior to service and if it was aggravated by service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection and TDIU due to a lack of an adequate examination regarding the cause of the Veteran's DJD of the bilateral wrists. The case is also inextricably intertwined with the service connection claim.

The Veteran's upper left extremity nerve disorder is rated at a 20 percent rating, effective from the date of the decision. The TDIU claim prior to March 20, 2015, is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to assess the current severity of the Veteran's wrist injuries. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the TDIU issue.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied. The Board found that new and material evidence was not received to reopen the claims, except for the claim of service connection for a right shoulder disability which has been reopened.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, sleep apnea, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome were denied. The Board found that there was no in-service injury or event to link these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to July 13, 2013, for service connection of various conditions have been denied as a matter of law due to the preclusion of VA compensation while on active duty. The Board also remanded several issues related to chest pain and other disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic joint pain, bilateral ankle disabilities, elbow medial epicondylitis, shoulder degenerative arthritis, and wrist de Quervain's syndrome have all been denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have a qualifying chronic disability manifested by joint pain due to military service in Southwest Asia as his poly-joint pain has been attributed to diagnosed disabilities.,The Veteran was unable to establish current diagnoses for bilateral ankle disabilities, elbow medial epicondylitis, and wrist de Quervain's syndrome. The Board found that the Veteran did not have a current disability of either ankle or wrists.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left and right knee disabilities, left and right carpal tunnel syndromes, and a claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for hepatitis C at a VA Medical Center due to incomplete records and the need for new examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient rationale provided in the previous rating decision and duty-to-assist errors. The issues of service connection for various orthopedic injuries and malaria are being remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for left and right ankle conditions, but granted service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has found that the Veteran's period of service from July 19, 1974 to July 18, 1977 is honorable. The appeal for service connection during this period is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of PTSD, left wrist disability, vision disability, and bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete medical opinions and lack of recent examinations.

The Veteran's left knee DJD resulted in a 10 percent rating, with no higher ratings granted. A separate 10 percent rating was granted for slight instability of the left knee from December 15, 2016.,For his right knee meniscus tear with DJD, he received a 10 percent rating, and a separate 10 percent rating for slight instability of the right knee from December 15, 2016. Neither condition warranted higher ratings.