Wrist & hand decisions — 2020

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for left wrist disability and left wrist scar have been denied as there is no evidence of ankylosis or other conditions warranting higher ratings, and the current ratings are considered appropriate based on the severity of symptoms.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's nerve damage in right arm and right upper torso. The case will be returned for further development, including obtaining additional VA and private treatment records, and for an addendum opinion from a qualified clinician.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient data regarding whether the Veteran's current left hand and wrist neurological condition is related to his active duty training period in March 2011. The issue now requires a determination of whether the Veteran incurred or aggravated a left wrist and hand condition during that period, and if so, whether it is linked to his current disability.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a right wrist disability has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew her appeal in favor of the AMA framework. The claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with the October 2018 Board remand.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and new evaluations were denied. The right wrist fracture was not productive of ankylosis or other severe impairment, while the left foot conditions did not meet criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to conflicting medical evidence and inextricably intertwined issues.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and medical opinions regarding his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for right elbow, right wrist, and left ankle disorders due to insufficient opinions from the March 2020 VA examiner. The issues are now pending for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to insufficient medical evidence regarding service connection for right wrist and left shoulder disorders. The Veteran's statements about symptoms during service are considered, but a VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist. The Veteran is requested to provide medical records and lay statements, and a VA examination will be scheduled.

The Board has granted an increased rating of 60 percent for the Veteran's service-connected CTS of the right upper extremity with sympathetic reflex dystrophy, effective from July 27, 2009.

The Board has granted effective dates of March 1, 2012 for the service connection of various disabilities including obstructive sleep apnea, neck disability, back disability, and bilateral upper and lower extremity radiculopathy.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent her from maintaining substantially gainful employment, despite her functional limitations. The Veteran is currently employed full-time with the federal government and has been since at least June 2007.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for various issues related to his spine, wrist, and hip conditions due to new evidence submitted after a previous decision.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a left wrist disability has been dismissed as he withdrew his appeal in June 2020.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining addendum opinions from medical professionals.

The Board has granted service connection for postoperative scaphoid non-union advanced collapse (SNAC) of the right wrist. Service connection was denied for a left foot disorder and a middle finger of left hand disorder.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hand condition, including carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that there is no evidence of chronic hand conditions in service or within a presumptive period following separation. The Board also found that post-service employment was more likely than not responsible for the current symptoms.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that he does not have a current diagnosis of this condition and that his symptoms are better explained by his already service-connected peripheral neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for fibromyalgia, bilateral shoulder disability, right wrist disability, and knee disabilities due to inadequate examination reports. The claims are also being remanded for additional examinations of his lumbar spine and cervical spine disabilities.