Wrist & hand decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims of service connection for right and left wrist disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities is granted as secondary to his service-connected degenerative changes at C4-C5, C5-C6, and C6-C7. However, his bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome remains denied.

The Veteran's appeals regarding left foot disorders and tinea pedis were dismissed. The Board granted service connection for a low back disorder, but remanded the issues of service connection for left ankle and right wrist disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left knee conditions, as well as her left wrist condition, are rated at 10 percent. The Board has determined that a higher rating is warranted for all three conditions due to the lack of compliance with VA examination requirements in Sharp v. Shulkin.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a left wrist fracture, left-hand fracture, cervical spine disability, thoracic spine disability, and TBI, all claimed as secondary to his service-connected psychiatric disorder. The decision is pending further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's left wrist disability is currently rated at 10 percent under the VA rating criteria. The Board has decided to remand the case for a new examination and further evaluation.

The appeal as to hearing loss was dismissed. The appeals for left wrist disability, bilateral hip disability, heartburn, diarrhea, residuals of a concussion, and headaches were all reopened due to new and material evidence being received.

The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a left wrist disorder is granted. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received, including a February 2014 report from a private physician opining that the Veteran’s left wrist disorder was caused by service.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus and denied the remaining issues. Service connection is granted for right shoulder labrum tear with a rating of 20 percent.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and need for a VA examination. The Veteran's claims of service connection for CTS and diabetic peripheral neuropathy are still pending.

The Veteran's right wrist DJD is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has remanded to determine if a higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to incomplete information about his self-employment and the need for updated VA treatment records. Additionally, a VA examination is required to assess the functional impairment caused by his service-connected right knee degenerative joint disease, thoracolumbar spine degenerative joint disease with compression fracture, left knee strain, tinnitus, residuals of surgical scar, right lower abdomen, and residuals of surgical scar, right perineum.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for her left and right wrist disabilities is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current level of disability.

The Board has dismissed the claim of an increased rating for hypertension and denied service connection for left carpal tunnel syndrome. The claims for service connection for a left knee condition and a right knee condition are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected right wrist tendonitis was dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeal. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, including major depressive disorder.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hearing loss is reopened, and he is granted service connection. For the period prior to April 6, 2017, his TDIU is granted based on multiple service-connected disabilities. From April 6, 2017 onwards, the issue of TDIU is moot due to a combined schedular evaluation of 100 percent.

The appeal regarding service connection for sleep apnea and entitlement to TDIU is dismissed. The reduction of the rating for anxiety disorder from 50% to noncompensable, effective May 1, 2014, was improper, and the 50% rating is restored. Appeals regarding right wrist sprain, right knee disability, left knee disability (secondary to right knee), and a rating in excess of 50% for anxiety disorder are remanded.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a disability manifested by memory loss, dry skin, dry scalp, left wrist disability, or CFS separate and distinct from his service-connected PTSD with major depressive disorder. The claims are denied.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right wrist scaphoid fracture is denied because the condition does not meet the criteria for an increased rating due to lack of evidence of ankylosis.