Wrist & hand decisions — 2020

The Board has denied an initial rating higher than 10 percent for the Veteran's service-connected deformity of left hand, wrist and forearm. The condition is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's initial 10 percent rating for left carpal tunnel syndrome prior to February 26, 2010, is granted. A higher rating is denied from that date forward. The Veteran's bilateral pes planus remains at a 10 percent rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that there is no evidence to support a nexus between his current condition and his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions to address whether his respiratory disorder and right wrist conditions are related to service-connected sarcoidosis or other in-service exposures. The issues of entitlement to service connection for various ankle and foot disabilities have also been remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral wrist disabilities and hypertension were denied as not related to service.,An acquired psychiatric disorder was remanded for further examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete records and potential herbicide exposure verification.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and work history from May 13, 2008 onward. The Board has decided that TDIU is granted from May 13, 2008 onward but the issue of TDIU prior to May 13, 2008 remains on appeal.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus is rated at 20 percent, effective April 1, 2011. The RO denied an increased rating for his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted as service connected.,Obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to PTSD.,Radiculopathy of the right lower extremity and left lower extremity are both granted as secondary to lumbosacral spine strain.,Right wrist and hand disorder, and left wrist and hand disorder, are both granted as secondary to fibromyalgia.,Right arm and elbow disorder is remanded for further development.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for right forearm fracture residuals, left knee disorder, and right ankle disorder. The case is remanded to determine if service connection can be established for these conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for a bilateral wrist disability, sleep disorder, bilateral elbow condition, and bilateral upper extremity nerve damage due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating from January 1, 2011 to January 23, 2014 for left wrist fracture residuals was denied. The issue of entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities is also denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for diabetes mellitus, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and TDIU due to a lack of VA treatment records from SSA and the U.S. Naval Hospital in Guam, as well as an incomplete opinion regarding the severity of diabetes mellitus prior to January 31, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right and left wrists, as well as hypertension, were denied. The Veteran was granted a 50 percent rating for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist since September 27, 2019, but no higher. A 40 percent rating was also granted for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist since that date. However, ratings in excess of these were not warranted. The Veteran's hypertension was denied as well.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and failure to address functional impairment during flare-ups.

The Board has granted service connection for left carpal tunnel syndrome. The Veteran's claim for right sciatica/radiculopathy and left sciatica/radiculopathy is remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.,Service connection for left carpal tunnel syndrome is established based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service connected. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his service-connected scars and left facial pain syndrome have been denied.,The Board has also remanded the issue of service connection for a low back injury due to insufficient examination.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence for some issues, including service connection for left and right hip disabilities. The Veteran's current knee and ankle conditions are found to be secondary to his service-connected pes planus.