Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating prior to January 16, 2018 for residual bilateral postoperative scars, carpal tunnel and cubital decompression was denied. The Board found that there was no evidence of a claim or disability related to the scars prior to the date selected by the RO.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left ankle, right knee, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and headaches due to insufficient evidence of current disabilities or causal relationship.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate examination reports and failure to provide an adequate opinion regarding functional loss during flare-ups.

The Board has granted service connection for right hand carpal tunnel syndrome, upper and lower back disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and tinnitus. The conditions are found to have begun during active service.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the left wrist is granted a 10 percent rating, but no higher. The scars of the left wrist and palm are rated at 10 percent.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right wrist disorder, bilateral knee DJD, right hand disorder, and bilateral hip disorder as secondary to his service-connected DM Type II with ED.,The Board also denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a digestive disorder, including GERD, hiatal hernia, polyps, and IBS, as secondary to his service-connected DM Type II with ED.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for residuals of left wrist fracture, kidney disorder, bilateral eye disorder, and lung disorder have been granted. The petitions to reopen the remaining issues are pending.

The Veteran's claim to reopen a service connection for a psychiatric disorder is granted. The left wrist fracture residuals are now rated at 10 percent, effective July 6, 2015.

The Veteran's initial rating for his service-connected right wrist residuals status post navicular fracture was increased to 10 percent, but he disagrees with the assigned rating. The case is remanded as the Veteran has not been afforded a VA examination for his right wrist condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied. The right wrist fracture, DM with ED, and right CTS are not rated higher than the current levels.,Service connection for sinusitis and sleep disorder is also denied.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection of carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that the Veteran did not have intent to file a claim for this condition prior to February 4, 2013.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected right wrist disability contributed to his death from pneumonia, acute renal failure and pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The benefit of doubt is applied in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's right wrist disability, thoracolumbar spine disability, and bilateral plantar fasciitis are not service-connected. The left wrist tenosynovitis is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, bilateral elbow disabilities, bilateral knee disabilities, bilateral wrist disabilities, and TDIU have been dismissed. The appeal for service connection for a back condition has been remanded.

The Veteran's prostatitis rating was improperly reduced, and the right wrist disability is not rated higher. The diabetes mellitus rating remains unchanged, but a TDIU is granted as of June 26, 2012. All other issues are remanded for further review.

The Board has granted service connection for left elbow disability and right wrist disability, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these disabilities began during active service. The issues of service connection for respiratory disability, dental disability for compensation purposes, and bilateral eye disability other than retinal hole are also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since December 27, 2013. The Board has granted the TDIU effective from that date.

The Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, but denied claims for left wrist condition, right wrist condition, left shoulder condition, and right shoulder condition. The claim for a left knee condition is also denied. Service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae was not addressed in the decision.

The petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is granted. Service connection for bilateral wrist disability, bilateral ankle disability, bilateral hand disability, and right foot disability are denied.

The Board dismissed all claims due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal prior to a decision being made.