Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome and bilateral upper extremity neurological symptoms are related to her service, with reasonable doubt resolving in her favor. The Veteran's bilateral upper extremity pain is due to a medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illness.

The Veteran's ischemic heart disease is presumed to have been incurred in service as a result of herbicide exposure. The Board finds that the left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome was at least as likely as not incurred in or caused during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current right hand disability or left hand disability related to service. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for flexor tendonitis of the right wrist was granted, with no effective date provided as it is the maximum schedular rating under Diagnostic Code 5215. The issue of entitlement to TDIU based on service-connected wrist injuries remains pending.

The Veteran's appeal of the denial of service connection for disabilities of the right shoulder, right wrist, left knee, bilateral knees, and cervical spine has been granted. The issues have been remanded to obtain any additional VA treatment records and determine if a VA examination is required.

The Veteran's appeals have been withdrawn. The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a right testicular/groin disability, right leg disability, or lumbosacral spine disability. Service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's tinnitus was found to have begun during military service and is therefore granted service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome or any neurological disability of the upper extremities. The claim for service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes mellitus, but denied the remaining issues of increased ratings and secondary service connection. The Veteran is still seeking higher ratings for his back, left knee, and bilateral wrist disabilities.

The Veteran's right shoulder arthritis and right wrist disability are not service-connected as they are not related to his active service or a service-connected condition. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a finding of a current right wrist disability during the appeal period.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability related to the Veteran's claimed right wrist/hand/soft tissue condition, left shoulder condition, or low back pain and upper back pain due to dislocated rib. The preponderance of the evidence is against these claims.,Service connection was denied for all three conditions as there is no medical evidence linking them to service.

The Board has determined that additional medical opinions are needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete or conflicting evidence in previous VA examination reports and lack of clear opinion regarding the etiology of his conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and reopened the claim for a skin disorder. The Veteran's right wrist, hearing loss, chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, gastrointestinal disorder (GERD and/or hiatal hernia), and psychological disorder other than PTSD have been found to be related to service.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance is denied as he does not meet the criteria of being helpless or so nearly helpless that he requires regular aid and attendance.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further development due to a need for additional medical opinions regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current right wrist condition and his service-connected right fifth metacarpal fracture.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation prior to August 18, 2010.

The Veteran's appeals were dismissed due to untimely filing of the substantive appeal.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's cervical spine disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and hypothyroidism claims. The case will be returned to the Board after this development.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a DRO hearing and obtaining VA treatment records. Additionally, the Veteran needs to be scheduled for VA examinations of his right knee, wrist, back, and PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his diabetes mellitus type II, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and peripheral neuropathy have been denied. The current ratings are deemed appropriate based on the severity of the disabilities.