Wrist & hand decisions — 2020

The Veteran's right wrist condition was rated at 20% from October 1, 2009. The reduction to 10% is granted and the denial of increased ratings for both conditions are upheld.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including myopia, left and right wrist disorders, left and right ankle disorders, chronic fatigue syndrome, ulcers, a right quadricep disorder, asthma, Lupus (Collagen Vascular Disease and Polyarthritis), osteoporosis with osteopenia, left hand and finger disorders, right hand and finger disorders, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, left foot hallux valgus, right foot hallux valgus, left foot hammer toes, right foot hammer toes, anemia, and skin disorder. The Board found that the evidence did not support service connection for these conditions due to lack of in-service onset or continuity of symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the TDIU claim due to the need for additional development, including a VA examination and consideration of new evidence.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, but the appellant paid for his burial expenses and filed a timely claim. The Board found that the criteria for nonservice-connected burial benefits were met.

The appeal to readjudicate the claims for entitlement to service connection for a bilateral hip disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and diabetes mellitus is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including bronchitis, degenerative joint disease (DJD), and diabetes-related neuropathy, were denied. The Board found no current disability as claimed in any of these cases.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, IHD, right ankle injury residuals, DMII, CTS, and a noncompensable wrist scar, have precluded him from securing or following substantial gainful employment since January 1, 2011. A TDIU is granted effective from that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for CMT has been reopened and granted. The effective date of the increased rating for PTSD is set at March 21, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the addition of new evidence and a need for AOJ review. The issues include right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, left upper extremity peripheral nerve disability (including radiculopathy and left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome), effective date for PTSD, and a higher rating for PTSD.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right wrist disability, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the Veteran's death.

The Board denied service connection for cervical spine, right shoulder, left shoulder, bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and right wrist/hand disabilities due to lack of objective evidence showing these conditions within a year of separation from service. The Veteran's assertions that symptoms could be traced back to service were not credible given the long period since separation.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for right ear hearing loss, right and left carpal tunnel syndrome due to in-service noise exposure and repetitive use during military service. The Veteran needs to provide updated VA treatment records and undergo further examinations by a clinician who will determine if his conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome and right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as limitation of adduction and extension of the left hip, have been denied.,Higher initial ratings were not granted for these conditions.

The Veteran's requests to reopen previously denied claims for left wrist, right wrist, and left shoulder disabilities are granted. The claim for sore throat is denied as it is associated with other conditions. The claim for prostate disability is also denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's low back condition, diagnosed as lumbar DDD and HNP. The issue of service connection for a left wrist condition is remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including left wrist disability, right wrist disability, migraine headaches, psychiatric disorder (claimed as posttraumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, and night terrors), degenerative arthritis of the spine (claimed as an upper and lower back condition), left leg disability (claimed as restless leg syndrome), and bilateral foot disability (claimed as flatfeet).,The Board has determined that there is insufficient evidence to support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, mood disorders, tinnitus, left wrist disability, and hearing loss in the left ear, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed as the issues were withdrawn during a personal hearing.,Issues such as right knee disorder, left knee disorder, wrist carpal tunnel syndromes, upper and lower extremity neuropathies, nerve spasms in back, foot nerve spasms, fatigue, PTSD, irritable bowel syndrome, pseudofolliculitis barbae, and TDIU have all been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing his appeals during a personal hearing.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left wrist disorder is being remanded due to his failure to appear for a scheduled VA examination. The Board requests another opportunity for the Veteran to undergo an examination and provide updated medical records.