Wrist & hand decisions — 2020

The Board denied service connection for left and right ankle, pes planus, foot, knee, shoulder, and carpal tunnel syndrome disabilities as they are not related to service.,Service connection was also denied for sleep apnea secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left wrist ganglionectomy and fracture of the fourth metacarpal of the left hand have been denied.,The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for a compensable disability rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and a need for clarification of the Veteran's periods of active duty. The claims for sleep apnea, neck disorder, left foot disorder, right foot disorder, left shoulder disorder, right shoulder disorder, left wrist disorder, right wrist disorder, bilateral hearing loss, chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), and an acquired psychiatric disorder are all remanded.

The Board has ordered remand to the RO for several reasons, including obtaining non-VA care records associated with the Veteran's treatment. The matters are being returned to the Board for further adjudication.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral shoulder pain and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome due to aggravation by assistive devices used for service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are caused and aggravated by her service-connected PTSD, fibromyalgia, and anemia.,There is no evidence of a current diagnosis related to the Veteran’s reduced sex drive. The claim for this condition is denied.,The Veteran's painful scar on the right wrist warrants a 10 percent disability rating due to its pain but not instability or limitation of function.,The linear scar on the right wrist does not meet the criteria for an increased disability rating as it does not exceed 6 square inches in area and is not unstable or painful.,Anemia has been rated at 10 percent since November 2018, with no evidence of improvement to warrant a higher rating.,Fibromyalgia was previously rated at 20 percent but the Veteran's symptoms do not meet criteria for an increased disability rating as they are present more than one-third of the time and not constant or refractory to therapy.,Lumbar strain has been rated at 20 percent since January 10, 2020. The claim is remanded due to a lack of evidence showing improvement in function.,Left lower extremity radiculopathy was previously rated at 20 percent but the Veteran's symptoms do not meet criteria for an increased disability rating as they are present more than one-third of the time and not constant or refractory to therapy.,Costochondritis has been rated at 30 percent since January 10, 2020. The claim is remanded due to a lack of evidence showing improvement in function.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for PTSD and a right hand/wrist injury due to incomplete records, including potential in-service personal assault stressor evidence. The appellant must be provided with special notice regarding additional types of evidence he can submit related to his claimed in-service stressor.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various hip, knee, wrist, elbow, and shoulder disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of in-service disease or injury, and that any current conditions are not related to her active military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations, as well as the retrieval of outstanding records. The Board will also consider extraschedular considerations for his right wrist, ankle, and knee disabilities.

The Board has found that the VA treatment of methadone and morphine caused multiple falls, resulting in additional orthopedic, neurological, cognitive, and vision disabilities. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome and left wrist disability are rated at 10 percent prior to August 5, 2019. The appeal for an extra-schedular rating is denied. Compensation for TDIU due to service-connected disabilities from August 4, 2009 to October 30, 2009 is granted.

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection of sleep apnea, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and dental trauma due to the appellant's death.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for her left wrist condition has been denied as there is no evidence that the condition warrants such an increase. The Veteran also had her request for a total disability rating based on individual employability (TDIU) denied.

The Veteran's right wrist arthritis is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's service-connected right wrist disabilities do not render him unemployable, as he can still perform sedentary work despite his functional limitations.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to missing or incomplete service records. The Veteran's complete service medical and personnel records, including retirement points statements and a list of periods of inactive duty training (IADT), active duty training (ADT), and active duty, must be obtained.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain was granted service connection. The right wrist and right knee conditions are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining examinations and medical opinions as requested.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, flat feet with inflammation, a right wrist condition, carpal tunnel syndrome, and sleep apnea. The case is being returned to VA for additional development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a visual disability, an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss prior to January 29, 2015, and ratings in excess of 10 percent for carpal tunnel syndrome in both upper extremities from June 24, 2016 onwards. The Veteran's claim for TDIU was also denied.