Wrist & hand decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right wrist scar was denied as the evidence did not show that the scar limited function or exceeded 6 square inches in area, and thus no higher rating could be assigned.

The claim for service connection of diabetes mellitus is reopened and granted. The claims for respiratory disorder, left shoulder disability, generalized arthritis, neck pain, right wrist pain, left leg disability, and left thigh disability are also reopened and granted.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of left knee, right wrist, right hand, and right knee disorders has been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his claim. The appeals for right wrist, right hand, and right knee disorders are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder and low back disorders, but dismissed the appeals regarding bilateral hearing loss and right ear tympanic membrane rupture. The appeal is also remanded for further examinations to determine the nature of any current right hip, right shoulder, and left wrist disorders.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial disability ratings due to new evidence being added to his file.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the bilateral hands, finding that it is presumed to be related to service. Service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome was denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder has been reopened, and he is now entitled to a TDIU effective March 14, 2016.,VA denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for his left shoulder scar. The Veteran was granted service connection on March 14, 2016, when he filed his claim for a TDIU.,The Veteran’s claim for increased ratings of his left shoulder disability and left shoulder scar remains pending as the Board has remanded these issues.,VA denied the Veteran's request to connect his right wrist disorder with service. The issue is currently under review by the Board.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis, tendonitis, bilateral shin splints, left shoulder, right shoulder, left knee, right knee, left ankle, right ankle, carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist and carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected left wrist disability is being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records and a new examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various joint and tinnitus disorders have been denied as the evidence does not support a link between his current conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions were denied. The appeals are not about service connection at all, but rather increased ratings and remand of certain issues.

The Board has dismissed the appeal for an increased rating for service-connected right wrist disability. The claims of service connection for left shoulder disorder and right shoulder disorder are denied, while the claim for service connection for erectile dysfunction is remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is required to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for post-operative residuals of right wrist condition, including obtaining updated treatment records and scheduling an appropriate VA examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, left wrist disorder, bilateral pes planus (flatfoot), and hypertension have been denied. The appeal is considered 'mixed' as some issues were granted while others were not.

The Board has granted service connection for left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that the Veteran's use of a cane to assist with his service-connected foot and knee disabilities aggravated his carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and neck disabilities, as well as his TDIU claim, are remanded due to the need for additional development.,Increases in the staged ratings assigned for left carpal tunnel syndrome have been denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right forearm laceration residuals was granted with an effective date of January 4, 2010. The earlier effective date is not earlier than this date.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus granting TDIU.

The Veteran's service connection claim for the residuals of a fracture to his right wrist is granted because it is related to an injury sustained during active duty.

The Veteran's right wrist disability has been rated at 10 percent since June 14, 2007. The Board found that the evidence does not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or other factors.