Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluations have been granted, with effective dates ranging from April 29, 2008 to May 13, 2009. The specific conditions include a left knee disorder, foot disorders (pes planus and hallux valgus), left eye disorder, acquired psychiatric disorder (depression), degenerative joint disease of the right knee, ankle tendinosis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and shoulder rotator cuff tear.

The Board has decided to remand the case for additional development, including obtaining an addendum opinion from a VA examiner regarding whether the Veteran's left hand carpal tunnel syndrome and left arm paresthesia began in or was caused by service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right wrist disability is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and the unavailability of certain medical records.

The Board found that the Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy was not caused by a delay in VA medical treatment, and denied his claims for service connection of residuals of injury to the back and wrists.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his lumbar spine disability and right wrist CTS were granted, with the lumbar spine disability receiving a maximum schedular rating of 40 percent effective February 10, 2009. The right wrist CTS received a maximum schedular rating of 30 percent effective August 1, 2012.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for his left wrist disability have been denied. The Board found that the current assigned ratings are appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal regarding the claims of entitlement to service connection for neurology problems exclusive of fibromyalgia symptoms, bilateral hearing loss disability, and fibrocystic breast disease prior to the Board's decision.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure of the RO to send a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC) to his current address. The SSOC must be sent to the correct address and he will have an opportunity to respond before the case can be returned for further review.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for eligibility to purchase an automobile and adaptive equipment due to loss of use in hands or feet.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right wrist arthritis, diabetes mellitus type II, sleep apnea, and bilateral elbow bursitis. The Veteran does not have a diagnosed right wrist condition.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for his left wrist disability was denied as the evidence did not support a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a chronic left or right hand and wrist disorder during service, nor did it manifest to a compensable degree within one year after separation from service. The Veteran's current hand and wrist disabilities are more likely related to age-related degenerative changes and repetitive use over many years in his employment as a welder, warehouse worker, and store manager.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of a bilateral shoulder disability, thyroid disability, neck disability, or bilateral wrist and knee disabilities. The claims for service connection for these conditions are denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical opinions and VA treatment records. The claims for service connection for back, left shoulder, and left wrist disabilities are pending.

The Veteran's burn scars are rated at 10 percent, and his migraine headaches have been increased to 30 percent. The Board denied service connection for the remaining conditions.

The Veteran is granted a rating of 20 percent for left shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis prior to June 4, 2013 and a rating of 30 percent for left upper extremity radiculopathy (to include carpal tunnel syndrome) from November 25, 2013 onwards.

The Veteran's current bilateral foot, left wrist, and left hand disabilities are not service-connected.,His low back and cervical spine conditions also do not meet the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and attendance or permanently housebound by reason of his service-connected disabilities, thus the criteria for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance were not met.

The Veteran has been granted service connection for multiple undiagnosed illnesses affecting various joints and the right and left hands, knees, shoulders, and wrists.,Service connection is established for these conditions based on their occurrence during active duty in the Southwest Asia Theater of operations.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination and considering the new evidence submitted by the Veteran in June 2015.