Wrist & hand decisions — 2020

The Veteran's right upper extremity nerve disorder, right elbow disability, and right wrist disability are each rated at 10 percent. The appeal for increased ratings is granted only for the right wrist disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU were denied. The cervical spine disability was rated at 20 percent, the lumbar spine disability at 20 percent, left and right wrist disabilities at 10 percent each, bilateral ankle disabilities at 10 percent each, and elbow disabilities (excluding pronation) at 10 percent each. TDIU was granted on an extraschedular basis from September 21, 2007 until June 8, 2009, and then effective June 8, 2009.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for right wrist ulnocarpal impaction syndrome, patellar subluxation of the right knee, surgically repaired right ankle sprain, and left knee disorder due to insufficient evidence from previous VA examinations. The Veteran will need to be scheduled for additional VA examinations.

The Board has decided to remand several issues, including the Veteran's claims for service connection for his bilateral thigh disability as secondary to his service-connected back disability and for increased ratings of various disabilities. The decision also includes a request for additional VA examinations and an updated VA Form 21-8940.

The Veteran's application to reopen a claim for service connection of his right ankle condition was denied. The claim for left ankle condition is also denied. Service connection and increased disability evaluations are denied for mechanical thoracolumbar strain and left wrist tendinitis, respectively.,Service connection cannot be established as there is no evidence of current or past left ankle conditions. For the right ankle condition, while the Veteran has reported pain, there is insufficient evidence to establish a current diagnosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his peripheral neuropathy, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and ischemic heart disease. The issues are related to exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Veteran was previously denied TDIU prior to January 25, 2018. Since then, his PTSD symptoms worsened significantly, making it impossible for him to secure and follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and their relationship to his obesity and carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's tinnitus had its onset during service, and the claim for service connection is granted.,New evidence has been received that relates to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate the claims for entitlement to service connection for a psychiatric disorder (including depression and PTSD), and disorders of the right hand and bilateral fingers. Therefore, these claims are reopened.,No new and material evidence was received to reopen the claims for entitlement to service connection for a bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral knee disorder, left hand disorder, carpal tunnel syndrome, or disorders of the right hand and bilateral fingers. These claims remain denied on the merits.,The Veteran's current bilateral elbow disorder is not related to his service, as there was no evidence of such during service. The claim for reopening is denied.,No new and material evidence was received to reopen the claim for entitlement to service connection for a left hand disorder. This claim remains denied on the merits.,New and material evidence has been received that relates to unestablished facts necessary to substantiate the claims for entitlement to service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, but these claims remain denied on the merits.,No new and material evidence was received to reopen the claims for entitlement to service connection for disorders of the right hand and bilateral fingers. These claims remain denied on the merits.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression and PTSD) is related to his service, as there is nexus evidence linking it to service. The claim for reopening is granted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted, and his appeals for service connection and ratings for various conditions are dismissed. The Board also remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral pes planus.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a right wrist disability, right ankle disability, and low back disability due to inadequate reasons or bases in the previous decision. The issues are being returned for further action.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a sleep disorder is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,For his coronary artery disease, the Veteran is not entitled to a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to March 28, 2017 and 30 percent from that date onwards. The evidence does not support a higher rating based on METs levels or other criteria.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including carpal tunnel syndrome, shoulder and lumbar spine disorders, and peripheral neuropathy. The issues are related to whether these conditions are secondary to a service-connected cervical spine disorder.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and new evidence, requiring a new VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current right wrist disability is related to his service or aggravated by his service-connected conditions.

The appeal for service connection of carpal tunnel syndrome is dismissed. The appeals for service connection of plantar fasciitis and hemorrhoids are remanded.

The Veteran's claims of increased ratings for various service-connected disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability claim is also remanded as an adequate VA examination was not provided in the previous February 2015 neck conditions examination.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for left wrist sprain, including on an extraschedular basis. The case is being returned to the AOJ for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for residuals of a Colles fracture of the right upper extremity (wrist), status post CTS release, and for DDD of the cervical spine have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeals.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for depression has also been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal. The Board finds that MVP and SVT are at least as likely as not related to his military service.

The Board has determined that there has not been substantial compliance with its April 2019 remand directives, and therefore the issues of service connection for psychiatric disability (other than delusional disorder), low back disability, circulatory system disability (other than hypertension), bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and right knee disability are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's initial rating for his right wrist condition is being remanded due to the lack of treatment records from 2014 onwards.