Wrist & hand decisions — 2018

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for low back condition as the Veteran withdrew his appeal. The TDIU claim was denied because the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and migraine headaches, do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has denied service connection for a positive PPD skin test, finding no evidence of tuberculosis. The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and folliculitis.,Right wrist pain remains under review due to remand.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals regarding ratings for left wrist ganglion cyst post-operative, right wrist ganglion cyst, and left ankle fracture. The remaining issues of a rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome with chondromalacia (left knee disability), a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee chrondromalacia (right knee disability), and a rating in excess of 20 percent for lumbar spine degenerative joint disease (DJD) are remanded.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to fully and fairly consider the merits of the Veteran's claims, including Social Security Administration records and VA treatment records. The Veteran should also be scheduled for examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected PTSD with TBI, traumatic arthritis, right ankle disability with scar, and other disabilities.

The Veteran's left wrist synovitis associated with gout is currently rated at 10 percent, and a higher rating is not warranted due to lack of evidence of ankylosis.,The Veteran's right wrist synovitis associated with gout is currently rated at 10 percent, and a higher rating is not warranted due to lack of evidence of ankylosis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection on multiple disabilities are being remanded due to the need for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's residual scars from a left wrist ganglion cyst excision are granted a 10 percent disability rating, effective as of the date of the decision.

The Veteran's appeal is denied for increased ratings for various service-connected conditions, including left shoulder tendonitis, lateral epicondylitis of the elbow, limited wrist motion due to elbow condition, post-operative thumb disability, glaucoma and aphakia of the eye, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. Effective dates are established or remanded as appropriate.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of both lower extremities as defined by VA regulations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of both lower extremities as defined by VA regulations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection, increased rating, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of his records. The low back disability claim is also being reopened.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and sleep apnea, finding that the evidence did not support a link to service or service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as he retained significant capacity for substantially gainful employment prior to April 20, 2017.

The Board found clear and unmistakable error in the March 2009 rating decision that terminated TDIU benefits due to fraud, as the RO did not properly apply the provisions of 38 C.F.R. § 3.343(c) regarding actual employability.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including those for bilateral hip disability, shoulder and elbow disabilities, low back disability, neck disability with upper right extremity neuropathy, spine disability with joint degeneration, hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, staph infection, carpal tunnel syndrome, and sleep apnea. The remand also includes a request to obtain Social Security Administration records and an addendum opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's sleep apnea.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in the need of regular aid and attendance, which is granted for Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) for Aid and Attendance.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraines, low back disability, and other conditions, are sufficient to prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating of various disabilities due to incomplete records, inadequate medical opinions, and need for further examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is not related to service or a service-connected disability, and thus denied the claim. The remaining issues have been remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including left and right wrist disabilities, left and right knee disabilities, hearing loss, tinnitus, and headaches. The claims were all denied as the evidence did not show a link to active service.