Wrist & hand decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that the RO did not fully comply with prior remand directives and has therefore ordered further action on three issues: reopening of a back disorder claim, service connection for bilateral hearing loss, and an increased evaluation for scaphoid lunate advance collapse. The Veteran is required to provide additional medical records and undergo examinations.

The Veteran's initial ratings for right wrist, right knee, and right ankle disabilities have been granted at a 10 percent level since February 1, 2013. The appeal is denied as the Veteran does not meet criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a left wrist disability was denied. Increased ratings were also denied for his knee disabilities, except for the left and right knee DJD with limitation of flexion which were granted effective February 7, 2020. A TDIU rating was granted effective September 29, 2014.

The Board has remanded the case for further development by the originating agency.,Service connection was denied for a left wrist disability, low back disability, right wrist sprain and status post ORIF right wrist fracture (right wrist disability), and left knee strain (left knee disability).

The Board denied the claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as there is no evidence that the Veteran's service-connected left wrist injury renders him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded several claims due to the need for additional records from Social Security Administration (SSA). The Veteran's claim of entitlement to SSA disability benefits is based on his service-connected conditions, and these records are necessary to properly evaluate his claims.

The Board dismissed all service connection claims for various knee, leg, shoulder, wrist, and back conditions due to exposure to herbicides because the appellant died during the appeal process.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and extraschedular TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's tinea unguium, right eye disability, vertigo, polyarthralgia (fibromyalgia), CFS, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, diabetes mellitus, and liver condition are all granted as service-connected.,Service connection is established for these conditions based on their direct relationship to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's increased disability rating for left wrist degenerative arthritis is denied.,Service connection for other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder is granted.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his right wrist disability and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for clarification from a private physician regarding ankylosis of the right wrist, as well as further examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected condition. The TDIU claim is also being referred for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating authorized under DC 6260. The appeal for a higher initial disability rating for tinnitus must be denied.,The Veteran contends that he has a left leg muscle disability related to his military service and/or secondary to his service-connected varicose veins. Further examination is needed to determine if such condition exists, its etiology, and whether it is caused or aggravated by the service-connected varicose veins.,The Veteran claims entitlement to an initial compensable rating for dry eye syndrome. Additional VA treatment records are required to ascertain the current level of severity of his disability.,The Veteran contends that he has a hemorrhoids condition which should be rated initially as compensable. Outstanding VA treatment records must be obtained and reviewed before scheduling a new examination to determine if such condition exists, its etiology, and whether it is caused or aggravated by any service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran asserts entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. Additional VA treatment records are needed to ascertain the current level of severity of this disability.,The Veteran contends that he has left and right leg varicose veins which should be rated initially as compensable. Outstanding VA treatment records must be obtained and reviewed before scheduling a new examination to determine if such conditions exist, their etiology, and whether they are caused or aggravated by any service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran claims entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected left wrist tendonitis. Additional VA treatment records are needed to ascertain the current level of severity of this disability.,The Veteran contends that he has right wrist tendonitis which should be rated initially as compensable. Outstanding VA treatment records must be obtained and reviewed before scheduling a new examination to determine if such condition exists, its etiology, and whether it is caused or aggravated by any service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran asserts entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent (prior to December 23, 2017) and in excess of 20 percent (from December 23, 2017) for his degenerative arthritis of the spine and lumbar sprain with spondylosis. Additional VA treatment records are needed to ascertain the current level of severity of this disability.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions and disabilities have been denied. The Board has not assigned a maximum disability rating, which remains before the Board.

The Board denied service connection for both the left hand and left wrist disabilities, finding no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board dismissed all claims for earlier effective dates prior to November 23, 1999 as the Veteran died during the appeal process.,No service connection was granted or denied in this decision.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals on service connection claims for COPD, a right wrist condition, bilateral ankle condition, heart condition, and cervical and thoracic spine disability due to his withdrawal of these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as his disabilities are not severe enough to prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's left wrist disability, including lunate and navicular chondromalacia, synovitis, and scars, status post arthroscopy, is being remanded for further development to consider an extraschedular evaluation.

The Board has granted a higher 20 percent rating for left wrist CTS and remanded the issue of an extra-schedular rating for DJD. The claim for a higher rating for DJD remains denied.

The Veteran's left thumb disability and residual scars of the left thumb and wrist have been granted increased ratings, with effective dates prior to November 28, 2014.