Wrist & hand decisions — 2019

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating due to individual unemployability based on service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for tendonitis has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,All other claims have been remanded due to the need for additional evidence and/or a VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left wrist ganglion cyst and an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left knee strain are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

Service connection for an adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressed mood has been granted.,A compensable rating of 10 percent is granted for the left hand fourth finger strain status post injury (left finger disability).,A higher than 10 percent rating is denied for the left wrist condition status post fracture (left wrist disability).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left wrist and back disabilities due to incomplete development. The Veteran asserts that his current left wrist disability is related to a fall in September 2001, which he attributes to his right knee or right ankle 'giving out'. For the back claim, the Veteran asserts that his back disability is caused by falls involving his right knee and/or right ankle.

Service connection is granted for residuals of a left index finger injury. Service connection for left and right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome are remanded.

The Veteran's right wrist ganglion cyst scar is not rated as compensable due to lack of instability or pain.,A distinct right wrist cyst was not incurred or aggravated during service, nor caused by a service-connected disability.,Service connection for a hand disorder (osteoarthritis and swelling) is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection and secondary service connection for his right hand disability, finding that there is no evidence linking his current condition to his active military service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to deficiencies in previous VA medical opinions. The case must be returned to obtain new VA medical opinions addressing the nature and etiology of his lumbar spine, cervical spine, right arm, and left wrist disorders.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the inextricability of his psychiatric disorder claim with his TDIU claim, and the improper consideration of the reduction of his right wrist disability rating.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right wrist arthritis is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development of the record.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for additional records and an addendum medical opinion. The VA will obtain private psychiatric treatment records, Social Security Administration disability records, and request an addendum from the October 2018 VA PTSD examiner.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to incomplete medical records and inadequate opinions.

The Veteran's service-connected left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and left wrist condition are all granted. The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is also granted with a 40% disability rating, but only for the left lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Veteran's low back disability, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and left wrist disability are granted as service connected.,The Veteran's right wrist disability is granted as service connected.,The Veteran's traumatic brain injury (TBI) is granted as service connected.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service connected.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss and GERD was denied.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left dorsal wrist scar is being remanded due to the need for additional development of records and consideration.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for service connection for PTSD, and his combined disability rating is sufficient to grant a TDIU prior to August 3, 2017.

The Veteran's major depression is granted as secondary to service-connected back, knee and shoulder disabilities. The right wrist disability is remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar strain, carpal tunnel syndrome in the left wrist, atrial fibrillation, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The issue of whether an April 2002 rating decision became final is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection related to psoriatic arthritis and associated conditions have been denied. The RO awarded separate evaluations for limitation of motion of the right hand, left hand, and left wrist as secondary to service-connected psoriasis with various disability ratings starting from March 6, 2013. The Veteran's claims were subsequently adjusted to reflect unfavorable ankylosis of digits in his hands and favorable ankylosis of his left wrist effective October 24, 2012.