Wrist & hand decisions — 2020

The case is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected right wrist disability, including any additional diagnoses or symptoms. The AOJ should also consider whether separate ratings are warranted and referral for extra-schedular consideration.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for chronic fatigue syndrome and carpal tunnel syndrome. The cases are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions due to the Veteran's failure to attend scheduled VA examinations. The claims will be readjudicated after rescheduling the missed examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an increased evaluation and to establish service connection due to insufficient evidence in some cases, including lack of x-ray reports. The Veteran is also being asked to provide additional information regarding his TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various joint disabilities due to inadequate examination and development of records. The issues include right elbow, left elbow, right wrist, left wrist, right knee, left knee, right foot, left foot, and right ankle disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for upper right and left extremity peripheral neuropathy due to a lack of opinion regarding whether these conditions are related to diabetes mellitus or ischemic heart disease.

The Board denied an increased rating for the Veteran's service-connected right wrist injury and also denied a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disorders prior to May 27, 2010.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate development and examination in previous decisions. The issues of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, residuals of spleen rupture, left hand numbness (to include CTS), a skin disorder of the face and scalp, and deformed toes are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for sciatica, subluxation of the ribs, bilateral elbow disability, bilateral wrist/hand disability, bilateral ankle disability, pelvic disorder, residuals of an abdominal muscle injury, varicose veins (bilateral lower extremity), dizzy spells, balance impairment with assistive device, and difficulty swallowing has been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeal of service connection for a bilateral hip disability secondary to cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine disabilities is remanded.

The Board denied service connection for left and right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome due to lack of new and material evidence, while remanding the claim for a higher rating for allergic conjunctivitis and hypertensive retinopathy.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the inextricability of issues related to arthritis of the right wrist and a right wrist cyst. The case is also referred to the Director, Compensation Service for consideration of an extraschedular TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to issues being inextricably intertwined and insufficient evidence. The case must be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's back condition is denied as not related to service.,The Veteran's right upper extremity CTS with median nerve compressive neuropathy does not meet the criteria for a rating greater than 30 percent.,The Veteran's left upper extremity CTS s/p carpal tunnel release with residual scar does not meet the criteria for a rating greater than 20 percent.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, an acquired psychiatric disorder, a sleep disorder, GERD, colon disorders, headache disorder, diabetes mellitus type II (DM), eye disorders, low back and neck disorders, erectile dysfunction, right and left carpal tunnel syndromes. The decision also denied reopening of the claim for hypertension.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for further development due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for addendum opinions regarding his low back condition and carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current shin disability and therefore denied his claim for service connection. The left wrist and right big toe issues are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of left arm radiculopathy and service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand and left hand have been remanded due to insufficient evidence. The VA will obtain additional medical records, provide appropriate etiology opinions, and give the Veteran another opportunity to submit information or evidence.

The Veteran's right wrist strain and PFB have been granted service connection.,A 50% rating for migraine headaches is granted as of November 1, 2019.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of erectile dysfunction and right wrist disability as secondary to his service-connected left wrist disability. The Board found that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his service or a service-connected condition.,Regarding the left shoulder and right shoulder disabilities, the Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether they are caused by or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected left wrist disability.