Wrist & hand decisions — 2020

The Board has determined that the Veteran's respiratory disability is not service-connected due to a current diagnosis of smoker’s bronchitis, which is not subject to service connection. The bilateral foot and left hand/wrist conditions are remanded for further development.

The Board has added new medical evidence to the record and has decided that some of the Veteran's claims for service connection need to be reconsidered. The issues have been remanded for further action.

The Veteran's right CTS is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The claim for TDIU is also denied as his unemployability is primarily due to nonservice-connected conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected left knee injury, bilateral fracture of the angle of mandible and trismus (spasms of jaw), and right wrist/forearm injuries are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The issues of service connection for these conditions remain unresolved.

The Veteran's appeal is being REMANDED for additional development, including obtaining medical opinions and records. The issues of increased rating for the left wrist, service connection for low back pain, service connection for a heart condition (Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome), and service connection for hypertension are all pending.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for lower back condition, numbness in upper extremities, neck pain, muscle fatigue and stiffness, cervical radiculopathy (carpal tunnel syndrome), left knee condition, right knee condition, and bilateral foot pain have been dismissed.,New and material evidence has been received to reopen previously denied claims of entitlement to service connection for a headache disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and insomnia.

The Veteran's bilateral wrist De Quervain’s tenosynovitis was granted service connection, while the claim for obstructive sleep apnea is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disorders, including shoulder, knee, ankle, wrist, hand, and foot conditions, as well as hypertension and sleep apnea. Additional verification is needed regarding his active service after October 2009.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including scheduling of VA examinations.,The Veteran is seeking higher ratings for his service-connected disabilities, which include right ankle and fibula traumatic arthritis, PTSD with TBI, radiculopathy of the upper extremities, cervical spine spondylosis, flexor tendonitis of the wrists, and disc bulges of the thoracolumbar spine. The claims are being remanded to allow for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment, as he has been employed full-time for over 25 years. The Board finds that his service-connected conditions alone did not render him unemployable.

The Board has remanded multiple issues for further development, including evaluations and service connection claims. The Vitamin D deficiency claim is denied as it does not constitute a disability for VA purposes.

The Veteran's OSA with asthma is rated at 50 percent, effective June 1, 2011. The Board denied a higher rating as the evidence did not show chronic respiratory failure or tracheostomy.,Gout was granted an initial 20 percent rating, effective June 1, 2011. The Veteran had at least four gout flares per year and his medication controlled his symptoms.,Migraines were denied a compensable rating as the evidence did not show prostrating attacks averaging one in two months over the last several months.,Right shoulder disability was granted a 30 percent rating effective March 26, 2019. The Veteran had limitation of motion at shoulder level and midway between side and shoulder level.,Bilateral upper extremity neurological disability was granted a 10 percent rating prior to March 26, 2019, but denied any higher rating thereafter.,Left upper extremity neurological disability was denied any higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, carpal tunnel syndrome, and diabetes mellitus, prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU rating.

The Veteran's left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome is granted a 20 percent evaluation, while the right wrist condition remains at 10 percent. Other conditions such as sleep apnea and acid reflux are denied increased ratings.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete line of duty determination and a need for further medical examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities make him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for teeth injuries has been reopened due to the submission of new and material evidence. The claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, right wrist, left wrist, left shoulder, and right shoulder disorders are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's hypertension is denied as there is no current diagnosis related to service.,Right wrist joint pain is denied due to lack of in-service diagnosis and no evidence of continuity of symptoms post-service.,Left ankle sprain is denied as the condition did not have its onset during active service and is not otherwise related to active service.,Left shoulder condition is denied for similar reasons as right wrist joint pain.,Right shoulder condition is denied due to lack of in-service diagnosis and no evidence of continuity of symptoms post-service.,Left knee chondromalacia of patella is denied because the Veteran's current condition did not have its onset during active service and is not otherwise related to active service.,Right knee chondromalacia of patella is denied for similar reasons as left knee chondromalacia.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for left wrist ganglion cyst residuals was granted as of June 17, 2015. The effective date for the increased rating is October 7, 2009.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance, finding that the evidence did not show an actual requirement of personal assistance from others.,The Board also denied service connection for cause of death as there was no service-connected disability at the time of the Veteran's death. The appellant's claims were not supported by evidence showing a service-connected condition or contributing to the Veteran's death.