Wrist & hand decisions — 2019

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for limitation of extension of the left forearm, increased ratings for limitation of flexion of the left forearm prior to March 8, 2017, and in excess of 20 percent thereafter, and entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for a left wrist disorder. The Veteran's claims for bilateral tinea pedis are also remanded.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was not incurred in or caused by any incident of active service, and it has not been aggravated or caused by his low back disability.,The Veteran’s left upper extremity sensory peripheral neuropathy is less likely than not caused or aggravated by his service-connected low back disability.

The Veteran's claims for clothing allowances related to knee and wrist braces are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining documentation from the Debt Management Center regarding a $1,528.60 debt.

An effective date of August 15, 2014, for the award of service connection for PTSD is granted. The Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, degenerative arthritis of the wrists, and bilateral knee disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional evidence.

Your appeals for service connection for a right hand disorder other than carpal tunnel syndrome and for residuals of frostbite to the hands have been dismissed because they are part of legacy appeal system matters. The legacy appeals will continue to be processed as per the Board's July 2019 remand.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disability, cervical spine disability, left wrist sprain, left ankle disability, musculoskeletal strain (claimed as costochondritis Tietze's syndrome), otitis media, right ear, right knee disability, left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss disability, and tinnitus due to new evidence of ongoing symptoms.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for left wrist and left groin disabilities due to incomplete information about his National Guard service. The Veteran needs to provide any missing records, including those from his National Guard periods of active duty training (ADT) or inactive duty training (IADT).

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right wrist/hand disability, specifically carpal tunnel syndrome. The Veteran is required to undergo an EMG study and a comprehensive VA examination to determine if he has any current condition related to his service.

The Veteran requested to withdraw all his appeals regarding the service connection for various injuries and conditions. As a result, these claims are dismissed.

The Veteran's claimed conditions, including generalized joint and muscle pain, lumbar spine disorder, right elbow lateral and medial epicondylitis, left elbow lateral and medial epicondylitis, right wrist arthritis, left wrist arthritis, and right knee arthritis, were not incurred in service. The Board found no evidence of a chronic condition during service or within one year post-service for most conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and remand were denied. The Board found insufficient evidence to grant higher ratings for the right knee and wrist conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been shown to prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment throughout the appeals period, resulting in a grant of TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance of another person due to service-connected disabilities, as well as housebound status due to service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not establish that the Veteran was in need of regular aid and assistance or permanently housebound solely due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted a 40% disability rating for the combined right arm ulnar neuritis and right carpal tunnel syndrome, effective October 1, 2017. The reduction of the 10% rating for right arm ulnar neuritis was improper.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for migraine headaches and a right wrist disability due to insufficient reasoning in the original decision. The Veteran's migraine headaches are found to be secondary to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea, while the right wrist disability is related to service.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional disability due to a left wrist surgery is denied as the evidence does not show that his disability was caused by VA care.

The Board has granted service connection for right wrist pain and neuropathy (right wrist disability) and chronic regional pain syndrome in the right upper extremity (CRPS). Service connection for a left ankle disability is denied. The Veteran's hypertension remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left wrist injury is granted as the evidence shows that his condition existed prior to service and was not aggravated during service. The Board finds that he incurred this disability in service.

The Veteran's claim is remanded for additional examinations to determine the current severity of his left wrist and shoulder disabilities, as well as for clarification on his work history.

The Veteran withdrew his claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and high blood pressure before the Board could make a decision.