Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, lumbar and cervical strains, render him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment. The right wrist condition is remanded for a medical opinion on whether it is at least as likely as not caused or aggravated by his thoracolumbar disability. The thoracolumbar strain with disc bulging is also remanded for an examination to assess the severity of his back disability, including left lower extremity radiculopathy. The left leg radiculopathy associated with thoracolumbar strain with disc bulging is also remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of extensor hallucis longus tendon transsection and non-displaced scaphoid fracture of the right wrist are granted with initial disability ratings, while gastroesophageal reflux disease and celiac disease remain at a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his medical records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is granted. The claims of service connection for bilateral wrist, hand, knee, and ankle disorders are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions. The claim for service connection for a sinus disorder characterized by nosebleeds is remanded with consideration of exposure to dust storms and burn pits. The claim for service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of lower extremities is remanded with consideration of in-service treatment records.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims of service connection for sinusitis, right wrist disability, bilateral knee disability, and sleep apnea. The claim of service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for various disabilities, including bilateral shoulder, elbow, cervical myositis with chronic pain, lumbar spine, carpal tunnel syndrome, and lower extremity radiculopathy. The evidence did not support a finding of in-service injury or disease that caused these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination regarding the Veteran's eczema. The issues of service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and bladder condition remain unresolved.

The Veteran's left wrist, right wrist, and left foot disabilities have been rated as 10 percent disabling each. The Board denied increased ratings for these conditions.,TDIU was granted from July 1, 2014.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as incurred in service.,An acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) and a sleep disorder (including sleep apnea) are remanded for further development.,Hypertension is remanded for further development.,Left and right wrist disabilities are remanded for further development.,,

The Board has remanded the claims for earlier effective dates of service connection for rheumatoid arthritis in multiple joints, as the issue is intertwined with a claim of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) in a prior rating decision.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected due to in-service noise exposure.,The Veteran's folliculitis of the forearms, right hand carpal tunnel syndrome, left hand carpal tunnel syndrome, and status post removal of colonic polyp are all remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for lumbar spondylosis and degenerative changes of the right shoulder joint. The Board also ordered a remand for verification of the Veteran’s dates of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA). Additionally, the Board requested additional VA treatment records and scheduled the Veteran for a sinus examination to assess his claimed disability.

The Veteran's major depressive disorder is granted as secondary to his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also granted, and the issue of increased rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis is remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches, obstructive sleep apnea, right wrist strain, sinusitis and allergic rhinitis, gynecological disorder (including dysmenorrhea and dyspareunia), plantar fasciitis of the right foot, residuals of a right ankle strain, retinal degeneration, and onychomycosis of the toes. The other conditions were either denied or not addressed in terms of service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for left wrist pain, right wrist pain, left hip pain, and right hip pain. Service connection is also granted for left and right knee disabilities due to combat participation. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities remains pending as a remanded issue.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and carpal tunnel syndrome, rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation as of December 16, 2006.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various disabilities due to lack of a VA examination and insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right knee, cervical spine, lumbar spine, bilateral hip, ankle, CTS, and left knee disabilities. The claims are being remanded for further development, including obtaining updated VA medical records and conducting additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left shoulder/arm disability, as well as her increased ratings for degenerative joint disease of the left wrist and carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for post-operative residuals of right wrist ganglion cyst, effective from the date of the June 2010 decision.