Wrist & hand decisions — 2020

The Board has decided that the Veteran's carpal bone dislocations of the left wrist and right wrist do not warrant higher ratings than 20 percent and 30 percent, respectively. The Court has ordered a remand due to an inadequate statement of reasons or bases for these determinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have substantially interfered with his employment since June 10, 2009, and he cannot secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation without regard to nonservice-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of PTSD has been granted. The claims for back sprain, right wrist disability, sleep apnea, and TDIU have been remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left hand numbness, right hand numbness, and sinusitis due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran's symptoms need further evaluation by a VA examiner.

The Board denied the petitions to reopen claims for service connection for various conditions, including left wrist fracture, bilateral knee and foot disabilities, back disability, neck disability, and bilateral shin disability. The evidence did not show that these conditions were incurred or aggravated in service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development, including obtaining an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is related to his service-connected pes planus.

Entitlement to a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for fractured distal radius of the right wrist with traumatic arthritis and scar was denied. The Veteran is currently rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5215.,For left ear hearing loss prior to July 25, 2019, an initial compensable disability rating was denied. Since July 25, 2019, the Veteran's bilateral hearing loss has been rated as Level I in both ears.,Both issues were denied due to lack of evidence supporting higher ratings.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and examination. The Veteran's tension headaches are not considered to be prostrating, thus denying a compensable rating. Service connection is remanded for right knee, right shoulder, right ankle, and left wrist disabilities. An initial compensable rating for nasal polyps is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The right wrist disability was rated at 10 percent, while the back disability received a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, except for the reopening of a low back disability claim and granting of service connection for a right testicular condition. Other conditions remain denied.

The Veteran's request to reopen his claim for left wrist disability and service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder due to MST is denied. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hand and wrist disabilities, as well as the reopening of a claim for service connection for bilateral ankle disability due to inadequate previous examinations. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for her service-connected ganglion cyst on the left wrist was denied. The Board also found that she is not entitled to a TDIU as her service-connected disability does not render her unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment at any time during the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal of service connection for syphilis is dismissed.,Service connection for a bilateral knee condition and a bilateral hand/wrist condition are denied.,Service connection for hypertension, migraines, microcytic anemia (due to Camp Lejeune water exposure), and myelodysplastic syndrome (due to Camp Lejeune water exposure) is not established.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims due to incomplete records and the need for further verification of the Veteran's Reserve service periods.

The Veteran's right and left carpal tunnel syndromes, as well as his degenerative arthritis of the AC joints and cubital tunnel syndrome in the left elbow, are all granted. The Veteran's colitis is also granted.

The Board has determined that additional medical examinations are needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral foot, ankle, knee, wrist, leg venous insufficiency, and sleep apnea disorders. The issues have been remanded for these purposes.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, prostate cancer, a chronic left wrist disorder, a chronic left knee disorder, and a chronic lower extremity disorder as there was no evidence of these conditions during or within one year after the Veteran's active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral hand/wrist condition, specifically whether it is related to service and/or Agent Orange exposure.

The Board has remanded several claims including service connection, disability ratings, and effective dates due to new evidence received after the issuance of the SOC.