Wrist & hand decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right and left wrist sprains, finding that there is no evidence of ankylosis which would warrant a higher rating.

The Board dismissed all the Veteran's claims due to his withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle, bilateral hip, bilateral knee, bilateral shoulder, bilateral wrist and low back disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions addressing all raised theories of entitlement.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically regarding the cause of death. The appellant must provide a medical opinion on whether any service-connected disability contributed to or caused the Veteran's death.

The appeal of the rating for tinnitus is dismissed.,The claim for restoration of the 10 percent evaluation for left knee instability, effective June 24, 2015, is granted.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for right hand and wrist arthritis.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for migraine headaches.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for insomnia and sleeplessness.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's case is being remanded for further examination and development of his right wrist degenerative arthritis claim.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a new examination and additional information regarding his occupational history.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for lung cancer and numbness and tingling in arms and legs (diagnosed as bilateral CTS and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy) due to a lack of evidence showing a relationship between these conditions and his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of both the left and right wrists, finding no evidence linking these conditions to active service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected residuals of right hand and wrist injury (major) due to inadequate examination findings, including failure to address functional impairment during flare-ups or repetitive use. Updated treatment records are also needed.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right wrist osteoarthritis, but remanded the issue of service connection for hypertension due to lack of medical records.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including bilateral pes planus with plantar fasciitis, migraine headaches, depressive disorder, carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand and arm, and carpal tunnel syndrome of the left hand and arm, prevent her from securing and following any substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that resolving all reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran, a TDIU is warranted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right shoulder disability is caused or aggravated by her service-connected right wrist disability.

The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome is granted service connection, while the claims for colon resection, gastroesophageal reflux disease, right wrist condition, right knee condition, low back condition, bilateral foot condition, and ingrown toenails are denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left and right carpal tunnel syndrome were denied. The heart disability claim was granted with a 30% rating prior to March 20, 2014, and a 60% rating from that date until March 21, 2019 (excluding the temporary total rating period). A separate 30% rating for paroxysmal atrial fibrillation associated with coronary artery disease was granted from July 22, 2012 to October 10, 2016. The temporary total rating claim was denied.,The Veteran's service connection claims were not supported by competent medical evidence and the Board found that his bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome likely developed over many years of working with his hands post-service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and consideration of all evidence added since the May 2016 statement of the case.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's previously denied claims for hiatal hernia, bilateral carpal and cubital tunnel syndrome, and right knee disability. However, these claims are remanded as further development is needed to determine the etiology of any diagnosed disabilities.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the complexity of his case and the need for extraschedular consideration. The Board notes that he has multiple service-connected disabilities, but does not meet the schedular rating criteria for a TDIU. He also had difficulty obtaining and maintaining employment due to his shoulder pain.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral wrist, knee, fingers, and neck disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The Board denied service connection for right wrist disability and TDIU, but granted the petition to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for left ankle condition based on receipt of new and material evidence.,Service connection was not established for degenerative disc disease, lumbar spine.