Wrist & hand decisions — 2020

The Veteran's right wrist condition, including neuritis and a scar, is rated at 20 percent effective March 4, 2019. The rating for the right wrist fracture remains unchanged.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for left and right residuals of shin splints, unstable angina, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and left carpal tunnel syndrome have been dismissed due to the appellant's withdrawal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for headaches, left foot arthritis, right wrist osteoarthritis, and an upper respiratory disability due to duty-to-assist errors in obtaining adequate medical opinions regarding the onset and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities and for TDIU on an extraschedular basis. The case is being returned for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling the Veteran for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the percentage requirements for a schedular TDIU, and there is no evidence of an extraschedular TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for a right wrist disability and a sleep disorder, finding that the current conditions are not related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left wrist condition, finding that there is no causal relationship between his current condition and his in-service injury. The preponderance of evidence shows that the Veteran's left wrist condition resolved after initial treatment in July 2010.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for her service-connected right wrist ganglion cyst and residual scar was denied. The Board found that the current level of disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that there was no evidence to support a secondary relationship between his service-connected cervical spine disability and CTS.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on several service-connected conditions have been withdrawn. The appeal for a higher rating for PTSD has been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, bilateral upper and lower radiculopathy, cervical spine arthritis, tinnitus, and right wrist disability, negatively impact his employability. The Board has remanded to further develop information about his past employment history.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development regarding the Veteran's right hallux valgus with hammer toe, left hallux valgus with hammer toe, tinea unguium, and residuals of a right wrist fracture.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and increased rating for arthritis of the right wrist were denied. The effective date for service connection was set at February 22, 2020, as this is when the medical evidence first showed the Veteran meeting the auditory threshold requirements for compensation purposes.

The Board found that the Veteran's right hand, wrist and fingers disability did not begin during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a right knee condition and bilateral carpal tunnel due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome and right wrist degenerative arthritis have been rated, but the Board has determined that higher ratings are not warranted for these conditions. A separate 10 percent rating is granted for mild ulnar neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for frozen right shoulder and left wrist injury with loss of use of hand due to inadequate opinions in the original VA examination reports.,Compensation under 38 U.S.C. §1151 for frozen left elbow, left wrist injury with loss of use of left hand and fingers has been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including her lumbosacral strain, right ankle, left lower radiculopathy and right wrist conditions, are considered one disability with a combined rating of 60 percent. The Board finds that the functional impairment associated with these disabilities precludes the Veteran from securing substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for right wrist arthritis and neuropathy is denied. The rating for right wrist arthritis remains at 10 percent, while the initial compensable rating for right wrist neuropathy prior to January 6, 2015, is denied. A higher rating for right wrist neuropathy since January 6, 2015, is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and wrist disabilities have been denied as there is no evidence of a direct in-service injury or disease, and the current conditions are not proximately caused by or aggravated by service-connected cervical spine disability.