Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for left wrist and little finger/hand disabilities due to incomplete examination records. The case will be returned for further evaluation.

The Veteran's left wrist condition was treated at a VA facility before seeking treatment at the MMC. The Board found that a VA medical facility would have been feasibly available for treatment prior to the visit to MMC, and an attempt to use one beforehand would not have been unreasonable.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted due to her service-connected right wrist tenosynovitis and depression preventing her from obtaining substantially gainful employment. The initial disability rating for the right wrist tenosynovitis remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted due to her service-connected right wrist tenosynovitis and depression preventing her from obtaining substantially gainful employment. The initial disability rating for the right wrist tenosynovitis remains at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence, including military hospital records and post-service Army medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including right wrist, left knee, back, and bilateral ankle disabilities. The Veteran is to be provided with VA examinations to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his right wrist and right shoulder disabilities are being remanded due to new evidence received after the November 2015 supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's claim for service connection to include as due to exposure of ionizing radiation and secondary to service-connected disabilities has been granted. The issues have been remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on atrial fibrillation, fatty liver disease, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and anxiety disorder are remanded due to the need for more contemporaneous examinations. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other claims.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various upper extremity disorders, including shoulder and wrist conditions as well as peripheral neuropathy. The RO is instructed to obtain private medical records from Dr. Rothman and Dr. Martin, and consider any new evidence submitted by the Veteran’s representative regarding a potential aggravation of these conditions.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased rating claims due to withdrawal of his appeal by the Veteran. The appeals were not related to service connection, but rather to issues regarding increased ratings.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether carpal tunnel syndrome is aggravated by residuals of a fracture of the fourth finger of the right hand. The issues of service connection and increased rating are inextricably intertwined.

Service connection for left arm carpal tunnel syndrome is granted as secondary to service-connected right arm disability.,An increased rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's right wrist disability (post-traumatic arthritis) is denied.,The claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder remains pending and will be remanded.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder, wrist, and lower extremity radiculopathy conditions. Service connection was also denied for chronic diarrhea. The Veteran's claims were not granted as his current disabilities are not related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's complete service treatment records are incomplete and needs to be obtained. The claims for service connection will be remanded until VA can obtain these records.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the Veteran's left shoulder disorder, which is currently rated at 20 percent. The issues of service connection for left wrist and cervical neck disorders are dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.

The Board has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right wrist, hand, and finger conditions, including whether they are aggravated by his service-connected right elbow strain and ulnar nerve transposition.

The Veteran's claim for acid reflux as secondary to obstructive sleep apnea is denied.,The Veteran's claim for headaches is granted, with the Board finding that there is at least equipoise evidence of continuity of symptomatology since service.,The Veteran's claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, anxiety, and depression) is granted, as the Board finds his statements credible regarding in-service events and concludes that his current diagnosis of depression is related to these events.,The Veteran's claims for a left hand/wrist condition and bilateral foot condition are remanded for further examination and opinion.,The Veteran's claim for a left ear hearing loss disability is remanded for an appropriate VA examination, including consideration of aggravation by service-connected right ear hearing loss and/or tinnitus.,The Veteran's claim for a respiratory disability is remanded for readjudication based on additional medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lumbar radiculopathy, increased ratings for left and right wrist disorders, and an initial rating higher than 10 percent for his lumbar strain have all been denied.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder, right shoulder, bilateral hip, and bilateral carpal tunnel disorders due to lack of evidence of in-service injury or disease.,Service connection was also not granted for a current left heel disability as the Veteran did not demonstrate any functional impairment.