Wrist & hand decisions — 2018

The Veteran's petition to reopen his service connection claims for hypertension and right wrist injury was granted. Service connection is established for both conditions. The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for left knee DJD with painful motion and instability, as well as the TDIU issue, are remanded.

This decision denies service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remands the issues of service connection for left wrist disorder, right wrist disorder, and residuals of the left 4th and 5th finger dislocation. The effective date for the grant of service connection for residuals of the left 4th and 5th finger dislocation is also being remanded.,Entitlement to an earlier effective date than December 17, 2014, for the award of service connection for residuals of the left 4th and 5th finger dislocation is denied.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including for residuals of a left wrist injury, lumbar spine disability, and ankle disabilities. The claim for PTSD is also being remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board found that there is no evidence linking the Veteran's current neurological condition of the bilateral upper extremities to his military service, and thus denied his claim.

The Veteran's claims for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right and left hands, adjustment disorder with TBI, thoracic and lumbar spondylosis and djd at sacroiliac area, left knee medial collateral ligament sprain, and to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities are all remanded for further action.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity is rated at 30 percent, and his right upper extremity is rated at 20 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his right wrist disability, including flare-ups and functional loss.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, effective date determinations, and rating decisions. The main issues are seeking clarification on the etiology of left shoulder and elbow disabilities, skin disability, and left wrist disability; determining appropriate effective dates for service connection and ratings; and addressing the service connection for left sciatic nerve impingement and sinusitis.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for hypertension, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and a higher rating for thoracic spine disability due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeals.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral wrist pain and low back disorder, as secondary to service-connected seizure disorder. The Veteran's wrists and back conditions are being evaluated again due to new evidence submitted since the last decision.

The Board has denied an increased rating for the residuals of a fracture of the left fifth metacarpal and remanded the case for further development regarding the initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease (DJD) of the left wrist.

Service connection for left carpal tunnel syndrome was restored effective January 12, 2018. The Veteran's arthritis of the left hand and related conditions were rated at 40 percent since January 12, 2018.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder pain and peripheral neuropathy of both upper extremities (claimed as carpal tunnel syndrome) due to their association with his service-connected disabilities. The case is sent back for a VA examination to determine if these conditions are secondary to or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

Service connection for diabetes mellitus type 2 and diabetic peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities is granted as secondary to service-connected conditions. A 10 percent rating is granted for a painful scar from left carpal tunnel release surgery, subject to further examination for right carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee osteoarthritis and patellofemoral pain syndrome, but granted a separate 10 percent rating for painful extension from June 14, 2017. The case is remanded to determine if service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome as secondary to diabetes mellitus can be established.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected status post left wrist fusion and tender surgical scar, left wrist were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for initial ratings higher than 10 percent for tinnitus, left elbow strain, and right wrist strain. The maximum schedular rating of 10 percent was assigned for each condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for a right shoulder disability, right elbow disability, and right wrist disability due to an in-service dog bite. The evidence does not support a finding that these disabilities are related to service.