Wrist & hand decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been granted. Effective September 13, 2013, he was assigned initial ratings of 10%, 20%, and 30% for his right elbow epicondylitis, left elbow epicondylitis, and right wrist CTS (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome), respectively. His claims for service connection were also granted.

The Board has granted increased ratings for the Veteran's status post carpal tunnel release of both upper extremities and awarded a TDIU effective since March 29, 2018.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various back, neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hip conditions are granted. The claim for bilateral deafness is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection was denied in July 1978, and the effective date of his award is August 13, 1994. The Veteran's claim for lower extremity peripheral neuropathy was denied earlier than November 2002.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability has been denied as there is no evidence of current hearing loss that meets VA criteria.,Service connection for sleep deprivation was also denied due to lack of a diagnosed condition and functional impairment.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for various disabilities, including a cardiological disability and psychiatric disability (including PTSD), lumbosacral strain, neck disability, right lower leg/calf disability, right and left thigh disability, right wrist disability, right and left shoulder disability, left and right hip disability, and left and right knee disability are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for the Veteran's right wrist and hand residual scars, finding that his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of the right hand, 4th finger contusion. The case was remanded for further examination and opinion regarding the right wrist condition.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his right and left wrist degenerative joint disease have been dismissed as he has withdrawn the appeal.

The Veteran's TBI, headaches, intervertebral disc disease of the lumbar spine, right knee strain, tinnitus, left wrist sprain, right wrist sprain, radiculopathy of the left lower extremity, and radiculopathy of the right lower extremity have led to a TDIU being granted. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities significantly impair his ability to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). The Veteran served in a MOS requiring heavy, continuous use of a computer and mouse. The November 2019 VA examination did not adequately comply with instructions from the previous remand.

The Veteran's application to reopen claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a neuropsychiatric disorder was granted. Claims for diabetes, chronic fatigue syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), occipital neuralgia, and an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD were denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for coronary artery disease, hypertension, and obstructive sleep apnea is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU, including on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for infertility, cervical spine disability, right shoulder disability, left wrist CTS, right hip disability, and left hip disability. However, further development is needed as there are outstanding VA treatment records and additional medical opinions are required to address service connection.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a TBI is granted. The issue of reopening the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder is also granted, but the issues of service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of both upper extremities are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for lung disorder, right hand condition, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left foot disability, and right foot disability due to issues with the factual predicate of previous opinions and potential new evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left-hand, ring finger, and wrist conditions. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to his service-connected sciatica or any other in-service injury.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and service connection are remanded due to the failure of VA to provide proper notice and scheduling for examinations. The issues will be further evaluated with additional medical opinions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the ratings of right carpal tunnel syndrome prior to July 17, 2013 and from July 17, 2013.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, chest pain, and ganglion cyst of the left wrist are all found to be related to his service-connected PTSD. As a result, these conditions have been granted service connection.