Wrist & hand decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as her conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating schedule.

The Board has decided to remand the cases due to incomplete service treatment records and requests for additional information. The Veteran's complete service treatment records, particularly from his National Guard service period, need to be obtained.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee, right wrist, and right hand disabilities due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for new VA examinations.

The Board denied service connection for both a right wrist disorder and a right hand disorder, finding that there was no evidence of current disabilities or in-service incurrences.

The Veteran's left and right wrist conditions were not incurred in or aggravated by service.,The Veteran's right hip iliotibial band syndrome with painful motion, right hip iliotibial band syndrome with limitation of flexion, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), migraine headaches, lumbosacral strain, left hip strain with limitation of flexion, and left hip strain with painful motion were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's acne disorder and right wrist scar are being remanded for further evaluation as the current severity of her conditions may not accurately reflect in the records.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a right knee disability, left wrist condition, and left knee condition due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for his scar above his left knee is also being remanded as there is no current diagnosis of a right knee disability.

The Veteran's flexor tendinopathy of the left hand/wrist is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left ankle, right ankle, and joint pain affecting the right shoulder, bilateral elbows, bilateral wrists, and bilateral ankles. The Veteran is asked to provide additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for degenerative joint disease of the right wrist has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board denied a request for an increased disability rating for the Veteran's left wrist condition, currently rated at 10 percent. The evidence did not demonstrate ankylosis or involvement of two major joints with occasional incapacitating exacerbations.

The Board has remanded the claim of service connection for a left knee disorder due to lack of evidence and need for further examination.

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

The Veteran's right wrist disability is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Code 5215. The Board found no evidence of ankylosis or other conditions that would warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for arthritis of the right thumb was reopened and granted service connection. An initial rating of 20% is assigned for scars of the left ankle, left knee, and right wrist.,Service connection for depressive disorder is granted with an effective date of September 17, 2016.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability was granted a 10 percent rating from June 25, 2014 to November 20, 2015, and a 20 percent rating from November 20, 2015 to August 31, 2019. For the period after August 31, 2019, the Veteran's thoracolumbar spine disability was denied any higher than a 40 percent rating.

The Veteran's claims to reopen are being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records and a new examination.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is also being remanded as it may be related to his lumbar spine disability.,The Veteran's major depressive disorder is being remanded because more recent treatment records are needed, and a new examination is required due to the severity of his condition.,The Veteran's multilevel lumbar disc disease is being remanded for a new examination as it may have worsened since the last evaluation.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability is being remanded because an opinion on whether it is related to service-connected lumbar spine disability is needed.,The Veteran's bilateral hip and knee disabilities are also being remanded due to the need for medical opinions regarding their relationship to his service-connected lumbar spine disability.,The Veteran's right ankle disability is being remanded as a new examination is required, including an assessment of whether it is related to his in-service injury.,The Veteran's bilateral tarsal tunnel syndrome and lower extremity numbness are also being remanded for medical opinions on their relationship to service-connected lumbar spine disability.,The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded as more detailed information regarding the impact of his disabilities on his employment is needed.

The Veteran's service connection claims for cervical spine, COPD, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome have been granted. The claim for knee disability is remanded.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome should be remanded due to conflicting medical opinions and a need for further examination.

An initial 70 percent rating, but no higher, for PTSD is granted. A 30 percent rating, but no higher, for asthma is granted. A rating in excess of 10 percent for a right wrist disability is denied.