Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome and cervical spondylotic myelopathy was denied in a February 2014 rating decision. The Board found that the evidence did not show his CTS was related to his service-connected right shoulder disability or that the disability was incurred during service. The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date is denied as there was no prior claim of service connection for his right upper extremity CTS.

The Veteran's somatic disorder, allergic rhinitis with deviated nasal septum, asthma (with OSA), GERD, and right wrist disability have been granted service connection. The Veteran is also receiving a noncompensable evaluation for his allergic rhinitis with deviated nasal septum, 10 percent evaluation for his asthma (prior to October 5, 2017) and 50 percent evaluation for his OSA with asthma from October 5, 2017. A 10 percent evaluation has been granted for his GERD, while a 10 percent evaluation is denied for his right wrist disability.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, sleep apnea, right ankle melanoma, left wrist disorders, and left club foot. The appeals are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for increased ratings for iron deficiency anemia and right wrist ganglion cyst. The appeal of the reduction in rating from 60 percent to 10 percent effective September 1, 2016 is also dismissed. The Veteran's appeal for compensable ratings for recurrent condyloma acuminata prior to July 19, 2017 and a separate compensable rating from July 19, 2017 is remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for PTSD, bilateral shoulder, wrist, and hand disabilities due to inadequate development. The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is also remanded as there was not substantial compliance with previous remand instructions.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings on his left wrist disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence and the need for a retrospective opinion. The TDIU claim is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his left trapezius muscle disability (myofascial pain syndrome) was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal disabilities, including lumbar spine, right hip, left elbow, right elbow, left wrist (carpal tunnel syndrome), and right wrist (carpal tunnel syndrome) were remanded due to incomplete records. The VA duty to assist was triggered by the addition of relevant service treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various foot, shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, and ankle disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations. The new examinations must address whether these conditions are related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's appeal was denied as the claim for service connection of various conditions was not filed within one year of his daughters' 18th birthdays, and thus an earlier effective date could not be granted.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral knee disorder and carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that the Veteran did not have a current diagnosis of these conditions related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right shoulder disability, but has remanded cases involving his left shoulder and bilateral elbows, wrists, and hands due to incomplete records and need for additional opinions.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA opinion regarding whether sleep apnea is secondary to service-connected PTSD. The issues of increased ratings for left thigh, calf, and wrist disabilities remain on appeal.

The Board has dismissed all issues of service connection and entitlement to TDIU as the Veteran passed away before a decision could be made.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence and to obtain additional medical records. The issues include cervical spine disorder, back disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, left ankle disorder, right ankle disorder, sleep apnea, hypertension, left carpal tunnel syndrome, and right carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's claims for cervical spine disorder, heart murmur, and secondary polycythemia have been reopened. Service connection has been granted for secondary polycythemia.,Service connection is denied for cervical spine disorder, heart murmur, and wrist osteoarthritis (secondary to carpal tunnel syndrome).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,For the period on appeal, the Veteran’s right wrist tendonitis and left wrist tendonitis have not resulted in functional limitations that warrant a higher rating than the currently assigned 10 percent ratings.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disability and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of left wrist surgery were denied. The Board found no evidence of current or previously diagnosed skin conditions, and the Veteran was already receiving the maximum schedular rating for his left wrist disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and TDIU due to inadequate medical opinions regarding his bilateral osteoarthritis of the proximal and distal interphalangeal joints, as well as a need for further development related to his right wrist disability.

The Board has denied service connection for right shoulder disability and remanded the issue of bilateral wrist carpal tunnel syndrome due to lack of evidence linking current conditions to service.

The Veteran's PTSD has been granted an increased rating to 70%, and she is also granted a TDIU based on her service-connected disabilities.