Wrist & hand decisions — 2018

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, which affect a single body system or arise from a common etiology, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation for the entirety of the appeal period. As such, entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment, and the Board grants TDIU.

The Board has decided that there is insufficient evidence to determine if the Veteran's right wrist disorder, including a neuroma of the radial nerve, is related to her military service. The case is being sent back for further examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for erectile dysfunction, wrist disabilities, hand disabilities, hip disabilities, irritable bowel syndrome, and allergic rhinitis have been denied as the evidence does not support a link to service.

The Veteran's tinnitus, hypertension, right wrist disability, and scars on the right wrist are all granted service connection.,Service connection is also granted for bilateral hearing loss, otitis media, and residuals of complication from a vasectomy. However, these conditions do not meet the criteria for VA compensation.

The Veteran's SMC claim is being remanded for additional medical inquiry and readjudication due to the increase in ratings for his elbow disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for spinal stenosis and carpal tunnel surgery, as well as their related residuals. The remand requires a new examination to address the onset of symptoms and any service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance due to physical and mental impairments, which has been granted for special monthly compensation.

The Board denied service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of the elbows, wrists, hands and fingers as well as paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT). The Veteran's claims were based on his belief that these conditions were related to his service-connected left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's initial ratings for the right wrist, index finger, and long finger were denied. A separate rating of 10 percent was granted for decreased grip strength of the right hand.

The Board has remanded the claims for left wrist disability, arthritis of the lumbosacral spine, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and TDIU due to increased severity of symptoms since the last examinations.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for tinnitus is denied as the maximum schedular evaluation has already been assigned. The case of service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is remanded due to incomplete examination.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is found to have started during service and is related to his in-service injury, thus granting service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a right wrist disorder, back disorder, neck disorder, left knee strain, and right knee disorder are all denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities or a link to service.,Service connection for tinnitus has been granted. The Veteran reported an onset during active duty and the VA examiner opined that excessive noise exposure may have been a precursor to tinnitus at that time.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hand and wrist disabilities due to insufficient examination in June 2016.

The Board has remanded the cases for further action due to the Veteran's failure to authorize VA to obtain his treatment records from Dr. K.

The Veteran's claims for right wrist disability, left wrist disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus have been granted. The claims for chronic fatigue syndrome and chronic liver condition related to Gulf War service are denied.,Service connection is denied for the Veteran's claimed conditions due to lack of current diagnoses.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome was granted. His increased rating for diabetes mellitus type II prior to January 31, 2016 is denied. Service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is also denied.

The rating reduction from 20 percent to 10 percent for right carpal tunnel syndrome, status post release effective August 15, 2014 was improper and the 20 percent rating is restored. The RO also granted a 20 percent rating for right shoulder disability prior to May 25, 2018, but denied any rating in excess of 20 percent after July 1, 2018.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right thumb stenosing tenosynovitis and neck disorder have been denied.,New evidence has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for left hand carpal tunnel syndrome.