Wrist & hand decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left arm, left wrist, and right wrist conditions have been remanded due to the need for further development.,The Veteran is currently rated at 10% for each of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including a medical opinion regarding the Veteran's history of wrist instability/subluxation and whether it is contemplated within the rating criteria for evaluating muscle impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from performing the duties of his current employment as a Constituent Services Liaison with Congressman Aguilar’s office. The Board finds that further education is not warranted due to the Veteran's already suitable educational level and because pursuing additional degrees would not help overcome his 100% rating for PTSD.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prior to February 3, 2017 did not prevent him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment.

The Board denied service connection for asthma, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, diabetes mellitus type II (due to exposure to Agent Orange), left and right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, and hypertension due to exposure to Agent Orange. The Veteran's claims were not reopened as new evidence did not relate to the unestablished fact of aggravation by service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various disabilities, including right arm/elbow disability, left arm/elbow disability, right wrist disability, hypertension, and lumbar spine disability. The originating agency failed to schedule a VA examination that addressed whether these conditions are proximately due or aggravated by the Veteran's service-connected bilateral knees, hips, and ankles.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected right wrist extension tendinitis, finding that the evidence does not show symptoms comparable to ankylosis.

The Veteran's right carpal tunnel syndrome post-operative is granted a disability rating of 50 percent, but no higher. The Veteran's left carpal tunnel syndrome post-operative remains at its current 20 percent rating. The Board also found the Veteran meets criteria for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.,Service connection will be considered based on direct evidence rather than presumptive exposure or other theories.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, and right wrist disorder due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions began during or are otherwise related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for service-connected bilateral wrist peripheral neuropathies are remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with the December 2017 remand directives. A new VA examination is needed to address the clinical significance of prior examination reports.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hand and left hand disabilities, including arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome. The evidence did not show a current disability related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's PTSD with major depressive disorder has been granted a 70 percent disability rating, effective from January 10, 2014. The right wrist scar and right hip injury claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his service-connected left wrist disability is remanded due to the need for a new VA examination to assess the current nature and severity of his condition, including any additional diagnoses or flare-ups.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various rheumatoid arthritis conditions of the shoulders, hands, wrists, feet, and knees are being remanded due to inadequate examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been withdrawn.,The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings and TDIU are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of left scaphoid fracture and entitlement to TDIU prior to July 30, 2014 due to insufficient medical opinions regarding etiology and causation.

The Board has remanded the claims for right carpal tunnel syndrome disability and TDIU due to new VA medical records being added to the case file.

This decision dismisses the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for the grants of service connection for burn scars of the face and right forearm, as well as his claims for service connection for residuals of heat exhaustion and bilateral wrist disability. The issues related to PTSD are addressed separately.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's lumbar spine disability, right elbow disability, and right wrist disability. The claims for right elbow and right wrist disabilities are remanded due to unresolved issues.