Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on the listed conditions have been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in January 2017.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including bladder disability, psychiatric disorders (including PTSD and depression), sleep apnea, varicose veins, liver damage, erectile dysfunction, bicep disabilities, knee disabilities, ankle disabilities, low back disability, scar and numbness of the back, right wrist disability, missing tooth disability, eye disability (chronic conjunctivitis), bronchitis, and asthma. The Board found that these conditions are not related to service or do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has dismissed all claims due to the death of the Veteran's widow, as her appeal is no longer in a jurisdictional state.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right wrist disability, back condition, chronic sinusitis, allergic rhinitis, and skin disorder (including dermatitis and urticaria) due to incomplete medical records and need for further examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right wrist injury began in service and granted service connection for residuals of a right wrist injury.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions of hypertension, Sjogren’s syndrome, bilateral hip disability, neck disability, back disability, asthma, bilateral CTS, left knee disorder, and seizures are all granted. The claims for a bilateral shoulder disability, IBS, and TMJ syndrome have been denied.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including left wrist, right wrist, cervical spine, bilateral hearing loss, PTSD, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD. The claims were either not appealed or the evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including cervical spine, lumbar spine, hip, knee, ankle, shoulder and arm, elbow, wrist, and psychiatric conditions. The issues have been recharacterized to reflect the benefit sought by the Veteran on appeal.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to determine the current nature and severity of the Veteran's service-connected right wrist disability, including whether it is related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left wrist degenerative arthritis, depression, intervertebral disc syndrome (IVDS) lumbar spine with left leg radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy. Service connection was denied for hepatitis C.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right wrist disorder, thoracolumbar spine disorder, and right ankle disorder due to incomplete medical opinions and lack of evidence regarding these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right wrist disability is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,The Veteran's claim for tinnitus is denied as there is no evidence linking it to his military service.

The Veteran's right wrist sprain is denied as there is no current diagnosis and the previous injury resolved.,The Veteran's upper back disability is denied due to lack of a current condition and insufficient evidence linking it to service.,The Veteran's right ankle sprain is denied because her current condition does not align with in-service complaints or findings.,The Veteran's sinusitis is denied as there was no chronicity during service, and the current diagnosis is resolved.,The Veteran's abdominal pain (dysmenorrhea) is denied due to lack of evidence connecting it to service.,The Veteran's dry skin condition is denied because her current diagnosis does not align with in-service complaints.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection for various disabilities, including a right wrist disability, back disability, right leg disability, left foot disability, and right foot disability (including a right big toe disability). The Veteran will be provided with new VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of these disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical records documenting carpal tunnel syndrome in the period between separation from service and 2005, but no opinion has addressed the Veteran's lay statements of potential symptoms. The VA needs to obtain an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran’s bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is related to service.

The Veteran's right wrist tendonitis is rated at 10 percent, and his degenerative joint disease of the thoracolumbar spine remains at a 10 percent rating. No higher ratings are granted.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The claims for chronic lumbar strain, right ear hearing loss disability, colon polyps including colon cancer, and carpel tunnel of the right hand are being remanded due to additional medical evidence.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on loss of use of the bilateral hands are being remanded due to new evidence and symptom progression. The Board will also consider his claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's service connection claims were denied in a February 2006 rating decision. He filed to reopen the previously denied claims on January 10, 2011, and they were granted effective from that date.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate VA examination opinions and requests for additional medical opinions.