Wrist & hand decisions — 2019

The Veteran's service connection claims for left wrist disability, left shoulder disability, left knee disability, GERD, and major depressive disorder with anxious distress were granted effective July 10, 2015. The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates.

The Board has remanded the claims for increased ratings for right shoulder sprain, right wrist sprain, and right ankle sprain due to a lack of an SSOC. The issue of service connection for a stomach/esophageus disorder is also remanded as it requires a VA addendum opinion.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability and a right wrist disability, finding that the evidence is at least evenly balanced as to whether these disabilities are related to service.,Both conditions were diagnosed post-service, but the Veteran provided competent and credible lay evidence of in-service injuries and continuity of symptoms.

The Board denied service connection for left wrist arthritis and a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of left scaphoid fracture.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for right wrist strain with joint pain and decreased range of motion is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records.

Service connection for chest pain has been granted. Service connection for arthritis of the left and right ankles, elbows, hands/fingers, toes/feet, and wrists remains pending.,An effective date of August 24, 2012 is granted for service connection for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, meeting the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal for TDIU due to gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is dismissed as his PTSD, which he claimed for TDIU, has been rated at 100% since June 30, 2010. The issue of service connection for GERD is also dismissed as the benefit sought on appeal has been granted.

The Board has granted service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right wrist degenerative joint disease, status post-operative residuals of nonunion fracture scaphoid.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for further development and consideration due to insufficient evidence in some areas, particularly regarding the Veteran's left wrist condition and its associated scar.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including lumbar spine, right wrist, left leg, right leg, left elbow, and right elbow disabilities. The appeals are being remanded to obtain additional medical examinations.,The Veteran was not provided with VA examinations for his claims of service connection for a sleep disorder, diabetes mellitus, cervical spine disability, bilateral foot disability, bilateral hip disability, right knee disability, and bilateral shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding the appellant's periods of active duty and reserve service, as well as her claimed injuries. The VA is instructed to verify all periods of ACDUTRA and INACDUTRA, and schedule a VA examination to determine if the lumbar spine disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder are related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for a bilateral eye disability, left wrist disability, and sleep disorder due to incomplete information regarding service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for left carpal tunnel syndrome but denied service connection for PTSD. The case is remanded for further examination and/or medical opinion regarding the Veteran's PTSD claim.

The Board has denied service connection for a left wrist disorder and remanded the issue of increased evaluation for GERD. The right great toe condition is also being remanded.,Service connection for a left wrist disorder was denied, with the Veteran's pre-existing injury presumed to have existed prior to military service.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to improper filing of a VA Form 10182, Decision Review Request: Board Appeal (Notice of Disagreement).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a skin disorder and reopening the claim was granted. The claims for increased rating for right carpal tunnel syndrome, left wrist condition (carpal tunnel syndrome), right foot disability, sleep apnea, and residuals of transient ischemic attack are remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches has been reopened, and the Board finds new and material evidence. The case is remanded to obtain a VA examination to determine if his current headache condition is related to service-connected disabilities. Other claims are also remanded for increased ratings and TDIU determination.

The Veteran was granted TDIU from July 27, 2009 to May 12, 2012 due to service-connected PTSD and carpal tunnel syndrome in both hands.,For the period from May 12, 2012, the Veteran is already receiving a maximum disability rating (100%) for his service-connected disabilities, including TDIU. Therefore, the appeal was dismissed as moot.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected right elbow, left wrist and fingers, left knee, right knee, left ankle, right ankle, left elbow, and left index finger disabilities have been dismissed.,The issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) is remanded for further development.