Wrist & hand decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected right wrist disability was denied as the evidence did not show ankylosis or limitation of motion that would warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hand and wrist conditions due to incomplete compliance with previous remand directives. The AOJ is required to obtain a VA opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran’s claimed bilateral hand condition, including his in-service complaints.

The Veteran's cause of death was identified as ALL, which the appellant contends is related to her Gulf War service. The Board finds that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim for DIC benefits due to the appellant's contention regarding exposure to environmental hazards during her Gulf War service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations related to her right wrist disorder, chronic lumbosacral strain, left knee chondromalacia, and arthritis of the right knee due to inadequate examinations in prior VA evaluations.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings for left wrist condition, low back disorder, and total disability rating based on individual unemployability. The claims of entitlement to an increased rating for coronary artery disease and acquired psychiatric condition (including PTSD) are being remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the left foot, right fingers, left fingers, right wrist, left wrist (claimed as forearm), and left hip (claimed as buttock and thigh) based on a lack of current disability.

The Board has granted service connection for left wrist and left elbow disabilities, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not proximately due to the appellant's service-connected Meniere’s syndrome and other service-connected lower extremity disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for further development due to uncertainty about whether the Veteran's current wrist disability, including tendonitis and osteoarthritis, is related to his service.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for sleep disturbances and chronic fatigue syndrome have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left shoulder disorder, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, neck disorder, bilateral wrist disorder, and an increased rating for lumbar spine disability.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to address the adequacy of the November 2016 VA examination reports, which were used in denying service connection for left wrist disability, right knee disability, and hemorrhoids.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of left distal radius fracture, left elbow and forearm fracture (crushing injury), and right wrist fracture have all been denied.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for residuals of right wrist fracture has also been denied.

The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 20 percent since October 17, 2019. The initial rating of 10 percent for right wrist navicular bone fracture with DJD remains in effect from August 17, 2006.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the appeal is denied. The issues of reopening claims for internal hemorrhoids and loss of movement and strength of the left hand have been reopened.

The Board denied service connection for low back disability, wrist disability, a fractured nose disability, and dental disability (trauma to the front teeth) due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 40 percent for right wrist degenerative joint disease from December 29, 2015 has been dismissed. The issues of service connection for back and neck disabilities have been remanded.

The Veteran's narcolepsy is rated at 40 percent, and his carpal tunnel syndrome of the right major upper extremity from February 19, 2010 to November 27, 2016 is rated at 10 percent. The rating for carpal tunnel syndrome since November 28, 2016 is increased to 30 percent.

The Board denied service connection for low back, neck, right shoulder, left shoulder, right arm carpal tunnel syndrome, right knee, and left knee disorders. The Veteran's claims were also remanded for additional development regarding teeth grinding and sinusitis.,Service connection was not granted for a skin disorder due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is being remanded for further examination to determine if he has ankylosis, and for obtaining updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's erectile dysfunction is related to his service-connected acquired psychiatric condition.,His orchiodynia has been manifested by complaints of chronic pain, but no associated impairment of function.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for diverticulitis/diverticulosis, increased ratings for right and left hand carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), and a compensable rating for status post removal of colonic polyps.,Service connection was not granted as there is no evidence linking the current diverticulitis/diverticulosis to service.