Wrist & hand decisions — 2019

The Veteran's claims for effective dates earlier than March 25, 2014, and increased ratings for his left shoulder disorder were denied. His service connection claims for right knee, left knee, right foot, and left foot disorders are pending.

Back, right knee and lower leg, left knee and lower leg conditions granted.,Right wrist condition denied.,Bilateral hearing loss not met criteria for service connection.,Service connection granted for right shoulder and arm, left shoulder and arm, left wrist condition, and migraine headaches.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and further evaluation is needed.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions due to new VA treatment records being added to the record.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee condition, carpal tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity, and carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU), on an extraschedular basis, prior to October 7, 2008, finding that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and following any substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are denied, except for the grant of service connection for pes planus in the left foot. The remaining issues have been remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's right wrist osteoarthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum schedular rating under Diagnostic Code 5124. The Board finds no evidence of ankylosis and denies a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claims of entitlement to service connection for left carpal tunnel syndrome, a left shoulder condition, and a right shoulder strain with rotator cuff tear remain not reopened. Service connection is denied for diabetes mellitus, type 2, including as secondary to exposure to herbicide agents, and bilateral neuropathy.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings on multiple disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional VA and private treatment records.

The Board has remanded two issues related to undiagnosed illnesses affecting the Veteran's hands and wrists. The Veteran is seeking higher ratings for these conditions, which are currently rated as 20 percent each.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further evaluation regarding his entitlement to higher levels of SMC and a rating increase for his residual left knee injury. The Board found that he does not meet the legal criteria for SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(o) based on the lack of anatomical loss or use in his feet, hands, or eyes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hand disability, finding that it is not related to his service-connected right shoulder disability and was not caused by an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's service connection claims for sleep apnea, left carpal tunnel syndrome, right forearm and hand neuropathy, bilateral hearing loss, thoracolumbar spine disability, and left lower extremity sciatic nerve disability are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for additional compensation for a dependent child based on school attendance was denied as the evidence did not show that information regarding D.G.'s status as a dependent school child was received within a year of his 18th birthday or when he began college.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected diverticulitis and to obtain information regarding her periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA). Additionally, VA examinations are required to address the claims for bilateral hearing loss, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, back disability, carpal tunnel syndromes, GERD, acute gastroenteritis, insomnia, and chronic neck pain. The Veteran's service connection claims will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral congenital arm and wrist deformity disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder, variously diagnosed. However, both claims are remanded as further medical opinions are needed to address the etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding insufficient evidence to support a relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Veteran's left forearm fracture and associated tendonitis of the wrist are rated at 10 percent each, effective from when his original claim was filed.

The Board denied service connection for left knee degenerative joint disease, right knee disability, and tinnitus. The Veteran's ED was remanded due to insufficient evidence linking it to his service-connected condition.,Service connection for right wrist disability is also remanded as the claimant asserts that it is secondary to a service-connected condition.