Wrist & hand decisions — 2019

The Board denied service connection for CTS of the right and left wrists, as well as an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for CAD prior to January 8, 2015, and in excess of 30 percent since that date. The decision also found no evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disability, including panic disorder with agoraphobia and recurrent major depressive disorder, is rated at 70 percent.,A separate rating of 10 percent for left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome instability has been granted.

The Board has denied an increased evaluation for left knee instability, as the evidence does not show that the Veteran's symptoms more closely approximate 'moderate' subluxation or lateral instability.,An initial compensable evaluation is also denied for post-operative cyst scar of the left wrist due to lack of objective evidence of instability.

The Board has granted service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of both the right and left upper extremities, finding that it is related to service.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating, service connection, and TDIU have been denied. The case is remanded for further examination regarding the cysts/tumors of the neck and right wrist.

The Board has remanded all the issues related to service connection for various disorders due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and evaluation of various disabilities are being remanded due to inadequate development or opinions. The TDIU claim is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been submitted. The Veteran's right fifth toe, left wrist, and back disabilities are now pending before the Board.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the claims for service connection for allergic rhinitis, acute bronchitis, and a left wrist ganglion cyst. The Veteran's claims are denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left-hand condition and his claimed secondary left-arm condition (carpal tunnel syndrome) have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran had pre-existing nerve damage in his left hand, which was aggravated by military service. Additionally, there is evidence suggesting that the Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome may be related to his pre-existing left-hand condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a right wrist disability and bilateral hammertoes, have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment since at least 2009. The Board has granted TDIU effective July 7, 2014, but the issue of TDIU prior to that date is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues, including some that have been withdrawn. The remaining issues are related to service connection for various conditions and rating of disabilities such as right foot fracture residuals, TBI with headaches, low back disability, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, left wrist disability, and bilateral upper extremity neuropathy.

The Veteran's initial rating requests for a higher disability rating were denied. The left shoulder, left carpal tunnel syndrome, and right carpal tunnel syndrome disabilities are rated at the minimum of 10 percent each since February 22, 2016. Service connection was denied for right hip disorder, bilateral tendonitis, right knee disorder, and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her left wrist and thumb scars was remanded. The Board found that the scars, which were linear and stable prior to November 2016, resulted in two painful scars measuring less than 39 square centimeters from November 18, 2016 onwards, warranting a 10% rating.

The Veteran's claims for left hand disability, lower extremity vascular disease, and residuals of fracture of the left little finger were denied. The Veteran was granted a non-compensable rating for pilonidal cyst scars and a compensable rating (10%) for migraine headaches prior to November 16, 2016. However, his claim for increased ratings for right wrist disability after that date is denied.,The Veteran's claims for lower extremity vascular disease and residuals of fracture of the left little finger were denied. The Veteran was granted a non-compensable rating for pilonidal cyst scars and a compensable rating (10%) for migraine headaches prior to November 16, 2016. However, his claim for increased ratings for right wrist disability after that date is denied.

The Board granted a clothing allowance for the 2015 calendar year for bilateral wrist braces used by the Veteran to treat his service-connected bilateral wrist carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tooth decay, secondary to an eating disorder, has been denied as there is no evidence of a current dental disability eligible for compensation.,Service connection for the right wrist condition, claimed as secondary to PTSD, was also denied due to insufficient evidence linking the condition to her service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since March 2010, granting his claim for TDIU.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including tendinitis of the left leg, ganglion cyst and scar of the left wrist, as well as his claimed left arm and foot disabilities. The spine disability claim is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates, including those pertaining to his bilateral knee chondromalacia, right wrist fracture, and TDIU. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the pending claim of whether a valid notice of disagreement was filed regarding these claims.