Wrist & hand decisions — 2020

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and readjudication due to inadequate examinations in the previous rating decisions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected peripheral neuropathy of the ulnar nerve to the left little and ring fingers is granted. The Board also remanded the claims for a higher ratings for his left wrist/forearm post traumatic arthritis and distal radial malunion.

The Board has decided the case is not ready for final decision and has ordered a remand to obtain additional medical evidence and opinions regarding the Veteran's claimed hand disorder.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient opinions regarding his claimed disabilities. The Veteran is seeking service connection for right shoulder, bilateral upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, and a right wrist disability.

The Veteran's appeals regarding left hand/wrist and right ankle disabilities, as well as bronchitis and lumbar spine disability have been dismissed.,Service connection for these conditions has not been established.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a kidney condition, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD), and various musculoskeletal conditions. The effective date for the grant of service connection for bilateral hearing loss was set at September 12, 2017. All other issues have been remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including left wrist disability, left knee and hip disabilities, bilateral hearing loss, and skin disability. The remand requires obtaining updated medical records, conducting examinations for orthopedic, audiological, and dermatological evaluations, and determining the etiology of any diagnosed conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection and evaluations related to a right forearm condition, including carpal tunnel syndrome and cubital tunnel syndrome. The decision is based on the need to obtain correct Social Security Administration (SSA) records and review them with the VA examiner who conducted the 2019 examination.

The Veteran's right wrist ganglion cyst developed and resolved in service, but he has a current right ulnar fracture. The Board finds that a new VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of his right wrist condition.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection for a low back disability, an initial compensable rating for a skin disability of the right hand, and a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected right wrist degenerative arthritis.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with facet arthropathy is currently rated at 40 percent, which fully contemplates all symptoms including pain and limitation of motion. The evidence does not show ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.,The Veteran’s right inguinal hernia residuals are currently rated at 10 percent due to the presence of one painful linear scar in his groin area. There is no indication of three or more unstable or painful scars, which would warrant a higher rating under Code 7804.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and VA examinations.

The Board has dismissed the appeal of the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The claims for service connection for status post extensor tendon repair of the left wrist and tinnitus have been granted.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's right upper extremity disability is related to his service. The left upper extremity disability claim was denied.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and dismissed the claim for bilateral hearing loss. The right wrist injury and back injury claims are remanded.

The claims for service connection have been reopened and are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations. The Veteran's current diagnoses of cyst, lumbar spine disorder, respiratory disorder, neck disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, depressive disorder, and PTSD are related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for left trigger (index) finger disability and granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to September 17, 2016.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The cervical spine arthritis claim was denied with a rating greater than 10 percent prior to November 13, 2016 and 30 percent thereafter. Claims for bilateral pes planus, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee, right hand disorder, right shoulder disorder, and right hip disorder were also denied.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for left-hand carpal tunnel syndrome, as it is related to a service-connected left third finger disability. The case will be reviewed after obtaining a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has remanded the case for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left hand and wrist disability, including whether it is related to her service or aggravated by her service-connected right wrist disability.