Wrist & hand decisions — 2018

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his left wrist and arm, left ankle, left heel, and right foot disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed. The Board also remanded several issues including increased ratings and new evidence claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim of service connection for residuals of heat casualty. Service connection is granted for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome (right hand). The claims of service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder and neurocognitive disorder remain pending.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine (claimed as chronic sciatic nerve) and assigned a noncompensable rating. The Veteran's right wrist posttraumatic degenerative arthritis is rated at 10 percent, effective February 7, 2017. Her right hip trochanteric bursitis remains at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD is currently evaluated at 70 percent, which is the maximum schedular rating available. The Board finds that his symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation as they are generally consistent with the criteria for a 70 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is rated at 70 percent disabling effective May 31, 2011. He was granted a TDIU based on PTSD from that date.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations and inextricably intertwined issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings due to incomplete examination findings and functional loss. The Veteran will need a comprehensive VA examination to assess his arm, elbow, wrist, and hand injuries.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for low back, left knee, bilateral hip, and bilateral wrist conditions due to new evidence received since the previous denial decisions. The cases are now remanded for further examination and opinion regarding service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being REMANDED due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right wrist disability and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for PTSD.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hand locking and weakness, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus due to potential service connection issues. The claims will be reviewed again after additional examinations are conducted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle, left wrist, and respiratory disabilities due to a lack of evidence demonstrating current diagnoses or functional impairment.

The Veteran's PTSD, left wrist disability, and CFS have been granted service connection. The case has also been remanded for further examination regarding the Veteran's CFS.

The Board denied an increased evaluation for the Veteran's right wrist disability, finding that the evidence did not support a rating higher than the current 10 percent assigned based on painful motion and degenerative changes.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable disability rating for left wrist fracture and service connection for a left wrist scar are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on all issues related to muscle weakness, vertigo, stomach condition, brittle nails, dental problems, diabetes mellitus, right lower extremity neuropathy, left lower extremity neuropathy, right upper extremity neuropathy, left upper extremity neuropathy, carpal tunnel syndrome, impotence, and hypertension have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his claims.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's right wrist disability, characterized by pain and limited motion, does not warrant a rating in excess of the current 10 percent assigned.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including scheduling a VA psychiatric examination to assess the severity of his PTSD and its impact on employment.