Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's tinnitus claim is denied as it was received more than a year after discharge. The rectum sphincter control disability, GERD, and PTSD claims are granted with increased ratings. The hemorrhoids claim is denied. The right wrist and left wrist disabilities, and headaches claims are remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board denied increased ratings for both hands and found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for TDIU prior to June 30, 2017.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and evaluation, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and its impact on his employment.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, ankle, and back disabilities as the Veteran did not have any of these conditions during his active duty or at any point during the appeal period.,Service connection was granted for left knee arthritis and right knee arthritis. The Board found that the current diagnoses were related to service due to a significant progression of the left knee disability.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and earlier effective dates was granted, with a 30 percent rating assigned for carpal tunnel syndrome with ulnar neuropathy of the left upper extremity and ulnar neuropathy of the right upper extremity since October 28, 2008.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disability, finding that the evidence does not support a causal relationship between the Veteran's current lumbar degenerative disc disease and his active military service.,The Board remanded the issues of service connection for right hip disability and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remand instructions. The Veteran's claims file must be returned for an addendum opinion from the August 2018 examiner.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder, right and left hand carpal tunnel syndromes, allergic rhinitis, hypertension, and anemia are all denied as the evidence does not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied compensation for residuals of right distal third radius fracture and associated limitation of motion in the right hand due to lack of actual causation by VA, as the additional disability was not caused by VA's negligence or fault.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus, as well as his requests for increased ratings for his right wrist and headache disabilities. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional medical examinations.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including right shoulder DJD, left wrist DJD with limitation of motion, left shoulder DJD, back disorder, right eye disorder, gastrointestinal disorder (claimed as gastritis), skin disorder (claimed as rash on groin), diabetes mellitus, and pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to substantiate the Veteran's claims for service connection of various disorders, including bilateral wrist disorder, low back disorder, neurological disorder of the lower extremities, right hip disorder, right leg disorder, and right foot disorder. The Veteran will be provided with examinations and records are sought from private providers.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as there is no evidence to support her assertions of in-service injury or a current disability related to military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome, specifically her work history with Kelly Services. The case will be reviewed again after obtaining additional records and a new opinion from an examiner.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for a VA examination to determine the current nature and severity of his service-connected right wrist disability, including range-of-motion testing and assessment of additional functional loss during flare-ups or on repeated use.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical evidence and internal inconsistencies in the Veteran's claims file. The Veteran will need to provide VA treatment records, including those related to orthopedic treatment, and an examination will be scheduled to determine if his prescribed appliances and medications cause damage to his clothing.

The Board has determined that additional evidence should be obtained and considered in the claims for service connection for various conditions, including left and right carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic infections of the right eye, hypertension, and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claim is being remanded to allow for this development.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left wrist condition had its onset during service and is related to his military service, granting service connection for this condition.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's right wrist and hypertension disabilities need further examination to determine their current severity, as per VA regulations. The cases are being remanded for these examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and a need to provide notice regarding alternative sources of evidence for her PTSD claim.