Wrist & hand decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment since July 5, 2016.

The Veteran's PUD is rated at 20 percent, his right wrist degenerative joint disease at 10 percent, and his residuals of radial nerve damage at 30 percent. The scar status post fracture and repair of the right wrist is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed due to lack of pending claims.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of new evidence. The issues of service connection for left carpal tunnel syndrome and prostate cancer are also being remanded.

The Veteran has established service connection for bilateral CTS, right and left knee osteoarthritis, but not for wrist arthritis or a respiratory condition. The decision is mixed as some issues are granted while others are denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus, left wrist DJD, and hepatitis C are related to service. The right shoulder, right knee, left knee, low back, and respiratory disabilities are not shown to be related to service. Bilateral hearing loss is also not shown to be related to service.

The Veteran's right hand/wrist disability is not service-connected as it pre-existed his active duty and was not aggravated by service.,Fibromyalgia, respiratory disorder (COPD/Emphysema), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are not service-connected as they did not manifest during or due to service. OSA is also not service-connected as it pre-existed his active duty and was not aggravated by service.,Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is service-connected as it first manifested after the Veteran's second period of service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding her hepatitis and liver disease, as well as her bilateral wrist, arm/elbow, and back disabilities. The TDIU claim is also being deferred until further adjudication of the other issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a new VA examination due to unavailability of treatment records from his period of active service. The Veteran is seeking service connection for arthritis in multiple joints.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed left upper extremity disorders are not service-connected, and her right upper extremity neurological impairment is also not service-connected.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including referral to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional medical records and schedule him for VA examinations.

The Veteran's claim to reopen the right upper extremity disability was denied as new and material evidence was not submitted.,The Veteran's claim to reopen the left foot disability was reopened due to the submission of new evidence, but service connection is still denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include anxiety and depressive disorders, not otherwise specified, and PTSD; increased ratings for degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, boutonniere deformity of the right little finger, degenerative arthritis of the right ankle, degenerative arthritis of the left ankle, and residuals of a right wrist injury have been denied. The Veteran's claims are currently under appellate status.

The Board found that the Veteran's left shoulder disability clearly and unmistakably preexisted service, but was not aggravated by service. The right wrist disability is rated at 30%. The TDIU claim is denied as there is no evidence showing the Veteran is unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment due solely to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left wrist disability or gastrointestinal disorder, and therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's cervical spine and left arm/wrist disabilities are being remanded for further development, including obtaining medical opinions to determine their etiology.

The Veteran's initial ratings for various service-connected conditions, including GERD with hiatal hernia and primary insomnia, have been denied as the symptoms do not meet or nearly approximate the criteria for higher disability ratings.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left wrist disability is being remanded due to the need for additional medical evidence and an examination.

The Veteran's undiagnosed illness has been rated at the maximum schedular rating of 40 percent, and his right wrist disability is rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that a higher schedular rating for both conditions is warranted.