Wrist & hand Board decisions

The reductions in ratings for degenerative arthritis of the bilateral wrists and radiculopathy of the left lower extremity were improper due to inadequate examinations. The Veteran's conditions have not improved, warranting restoration of previous ratings.

The Board has found that the Veteran's period of service from November 16, 2004 to September 1, 2009 is honorable. The Veteran’s claims for service connection are now remanded to determine if these conditions are related to his honorable service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a comprehensive opinion regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition, acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), and sleep apnea is remanded. The Veteran also has an ongoing TDIU appeal.,Service connection was granted for chronic prostatitis with erectile dysfunction and urinary frequency effective May 28, 2010. Service connection for depression and sleep apnea are pending.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to July 21, 2015 rendered her unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's psychiatric condition, diagnosed as unspecified depressive disorder, is granted. The Board also remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims and effective dates for increased ratings.

The Board has denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, hepatitis C, carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand, and PTSD. The case is remanded to obtain a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or being permanently housebound, finding that her service-connected disabilities do not result in the need for such assistance.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical radiculopathy and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome as they are inextricably intertwined with his claim for a bilateral foot disability. The underlying issue of service connection for the bilateral foot disability is pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, hypertension, and other conditions have been denied. The Board has found that the evidence does not support a finding of in-service disease or injury related to these conditions.,The Veteran was diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist and right wrist after discharge from service, but no in-service complaints or diagnoses were noted.

The Board denied service connection for right wrist, right hand, left elbow, right elbow, left knee, and right knee disorders as there is no evidence of current disabilities or in-service incurrence.

The Board has granted service connection for chronic myositis of the cervical and lumbar spine muscles, as well as degenerative joint disease of multiple joints including shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, ankles, and feet. These conditions are considered to be directly related to the Veteran's active service.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues related to his service-connected conditions, including increased ratings for lumbar and cervical spine disabilities, TBI, and peripheral neuropathy. The Board has determined that additional examinations are needed due to the possibility of worsening symptoms since the last VA examination.

The Veteran's request to reopen the claim of service connection for a back disability is granted.,The Veteran's requests to reopen the claims of service connection for residuals of a bilateral super rectus fader operation, schizophrenia, depression, and anxiety are granted.,Service connection for bipolar disorder is granted.,An earlier effective date of December 5, 2005, but not earlier, for the award of service connection for a left ankle sprain is granted.,An earlier effective date of December 5, 2005, but not earlier, for the award of service connection for a right ankle sprain is granted.,An earlier effective date of February 22, 2012, but not earlier, for the award of an increased rating to 10 percent for status post left wrist trauma with arthroscopy with triangular fibrocartilage complex is granted.,An effective date earlier than August 30, 2012, for the award of an increased rating of 10 percent for the right wrist sprain is denied.,An effective date earlier than August 30, 2012, for the grant of service connection for hypertension is denied.,An effective date earlier than August 30, 2012, for the grant of service connection for status post left foot trauma is denied.,An effective date earlier than August 30, 2012, for the grant of service connection for status post left knee ACL repair and medial meniscectomy with residual degenerative arthritis is denied.,An effective date earlier than August 30, 2012, for the grant of service connection for right knee degenerative joint disease is denied.,An effective date earlier than August 30, 2012, for the grant of service connection for chronic cervical strain is denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for vertigo, bilateral tinnitus, right shoulder labrum tear, left wrist ganglion cyst, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and tension headaches have been denied.,Service connection has been granted for these conditions, but the Veteran is not entitled to an increased rating or a higher initial disability evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating increases due to incomplete records, conflicting medical opinions, and lack of proper range of motion testing.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for acquired psychiatric disorders (including PTSD), right wrist disorder, heart disorder, left knee disorder, and left ankle disorder. The TDIU claim is also in remand status.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted service connection. The left wrist disability and hemorrhoids are denied service connection, but the rating for hemorrhoids remains at noncompensable. Right testicular spermatoceles have been remanded due to secondary service connection issues.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left wrist neurological disorder, finding that there was no evidence of in-service incurrence or nexus to either service or a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's TDIU claim on an extraschedular basis is denied as his disability picture does not present an exceptional situation that makes the available schedular evaluation inadequate, and there is no evidence indicating he cannot obtain employment in a field that does not lend itself to carrying items.