Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on multiple disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional VA and private treatment records.

The Board has remanded two issues related to undiagnosed illnesses affecting the Veteran's hands and wrists. The Veteran is seeking higher ratings for these conditions, which are currently rated as 20 percent each.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further evaluation regarding his entitlement to higher levels of SMC and a rating increase for his residual left knee injury. The Board found that he does not meet the legal criteria for SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(o) based on the lack of anatomical loss or use in his feet, hands, or eyes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hand disability, finding that it is not related to his service-connected right shoulder disability and was not caused by an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's service connection claims for sleep apnea, left carpal tunnel syndrome, right forearm and hand neuropathy, bilateral hearing loss, thoracolumbar spine disability, and left lower extremity sciatic nerve disability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for additional compensation for a dependent child based on school attendance was denied as the evidence did not show that information regarding D.G.'s status as a dependent school child was received within a year of his 18th birthday or when he began college.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected diverticulitis and to obtain information regarding her periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA). Additionally, VA examinations are required to address the claims for bilateral hearing loss, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, back disability, carpal tunnel syndromes, GERD, acute gastroenteritis, insomnia, and chronic neck pain. The Veteran's service connection claims will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral congenital arm and wrist deformity disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder, variously diagnosed. However, both claims are remanded as further medical opinions are needed to address the etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding insufficient evidence to support a relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's left forearm fracture and associated tendonitis of the wrist are rated at 10 percent each, effective from when his original claim was filed.

The Board denied service connection for left knee degenerative joint disease, right knee disability, and tinnitus. The Veteran's ED was remanded due to insufficient evidence linking it to his service-connected condition.,Service connection for right wrist disability is also remanded as the claimant asserts that it is secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted.,The Veteran's request for a higher rating for his right arm fracture, right radius and ulna status post carpal tunnel release is denied. The maximum schedular rating of 10 percent has been awarded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for Meniere's disease, spondylosis of the cervical spine, right carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), left CTS, a right foot disorder, and right ankle tenosynovitis and tendinopathy were all denied as they are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome, left wrist was not initially service connected due to lack of evidence. However, new EMG results from April 2016 show current disability and the VA examiner did not consider these records in their assessment. The Board has ordered additional medical records and a new opinion.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is rated at 10 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating. The Veteran was granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for right elbow disorder, right hip disorder, and right wrist disorder. The claim for joint pain is denied as there is no evidence of chronic undiagnosed symptoms or illnesses. Service connection for right ear hearing loss is granted based on a current diagnosis.

The Board has granted a 40 percent rating for service-connected CTS of the right upper extremity with sympathetic reflex dystrophy, effective from July 27, 2009.

The Veteran's choroidal nevus, left eye was not caused by active military service and is not otherwise related to military service.,The Veteran's perimenopause with menorrhagia was not caused by active military service and it not otherwise shown to be related to military service.,There is no evidence of record showing that the Veteran has left carpal tunnel syndrome that had its onset during active service or is otherwise related to active service.,There is no evidence of record showing that the Veteran has right carpal tunnel syndrome that had its onset during active service or is otherwise related to active service.,The Veteran does not have hearing loss that meets VA regulations for a current disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right upper extremity condition and low back disability have been reopened due to the submission of new evidence. However, further development is needed as VA treatment records are missing.,VA has not provided an opinion regarding whether the Veteran’s current right upper extremity conditions (other than carpal tunnel syndrome) are related to his service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations and a separate compensable evaluation for various scars have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeals prior to the decision being made.