Wrist & hand decisions — 2020

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for obstructive sleep apnea and higher staged ratings for bilateral hearing loss, asthma, and left wrist scaphoid fracture.,The Board also denied a request to extend the temporary 100 percent evaluation for surgical convalescence of the left wrist.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including depression and anxiety is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied because the audiometric testing does not meet the criteria for a hearing loss disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for additional disability to his left wrist condition following a motorcycle accident and subsequent medical care at a VA emergency room. The Board has found that remand is necessary due to the need for an independent medical opinion.

The Board has restored the Veteran's 30 percent disability rating for post-operative right carpal tunnel syndrome, effective August 30, 2019. The claim of an increased evaluation is remanded due to incomplete documentation and failure to report for a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities was denied as the evidence did not show he is unemployable as a result of his service-connected conditions.

Service connection granted for PTSD and denied for other conditions. The case is remanded for further examination regarding right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, and a cardiovascular disorder.

The Veteran's TDIU and DEA benefits are granted effective from December 14, 2006.,The Veteran was found to be totally disabled due to his service-connected disabilities as of December 14, 2006.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, left shoulder disability, and left knee disability due to additional development being needed.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, lower back disability, cervical spine disability, and arthritis have been granted service connection. The Veteran's erectile dysfunction secondary to his service-connected acquired psychiatric disorder has also been granted service connection. However, the Veteran's yeast infection secondary to CPAP therapy for sleep apnea remains pending.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine, right wrist, and left wrist disabilities are each rated at the maximum allowable under VA regulations. The Board finds no basis to grant higher ratings for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the VA examination and opinion provided were inadequate for adjudication purposes, due to not considering the Veteran's reports of hand pain and numbness during service and use of crutches due to bilateral foot surgeries. The Board therefore remanded the case for another medical opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the case for a VA medical opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right wrist fracture and residuals are at least as likely as not caused by or aggravated by his service-connected right thumb disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea, left carpal tunnel syndrome, and urinary incontinence to obtain additional VA examinations. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which are currently pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and right shoulder disability have been granted. The remaining issues, including those related to the eyes, back, neck, shoulders, and extremities, are being remanded for further examination and evaluation.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional examinations to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected left wrist and left knee disabilities. The Veteran is also entitled to a new rating decision based on the updated examination results.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to procedural issues and the need for additional evidence. Effective dates cannot be granted earlier than June 1, 2015.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered her unable to secure or maintain gainful employment as of August 31, 2006. The Board granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis from that date.

The Veteran's claim for restoration of a 50 percent rating for chronic low back strain with diffuse degenerative disc disease and degenerative changes, effective April 1, 2018, is granted.,Service connection for a bilateral wrist disorder is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for skin disability, right wrist arthritis, left wrist arthritis, sleep apnea, and pulmonary hypertension. The Board found that the preponderance of evidence was against finding a causal relationship between these conditions and active duty.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination due to issues with the timeliness of the Notice of Disagreement (NOD) regarding service connection for tinnitus and left wrist disability. The Veteran's right wrist and shoulder disabilities are also being remanded for additional examinations.