Wrist & hand decisions — 2020

The Veteran's claim for service connection for degenerative changes, right knee was denied in April 2002. The Board has now remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and a change in legal precedent regarding aggravation. The Veteran's right hand disabilities need further examination to determine if they are directly related to his military service, including an accident that caused his already service-connected right forearm scar.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and left wrist disability have been granted increased ratings. The cervical spine disability is rated at 20 percent, the RUE and LUE radiculopathies are each rated at 20 percent, and the left wrist disability is rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment as of April 26, 2016. The Board granted an effective date of April 26, 2016 for the TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for various acquired psychiatric, cardiac, erectile dysfunction, thyroid, sleep apnea, neck, shoulder, elbow, wrist, hip, knee, ankle, and foot disorders was denied. The Board found no current disabilities in the record.

The Board dismissed all appeals related to the veteran's claims for various disabilities and benefits, including a rating for surgical scars of the left knee, service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome in both wrists, SMC based on aid or attendance or housebound status, and TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left wrist disability, finding that there was no evidence of a nexus between his current condition and his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various joint disorders, including ankle, knee, and shoulder conditions. The issues are being returned to the RO for further development of the record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional action, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling VA examinations. The issues of service connection for various conditions are being addressed.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance or housebound status was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not render him permanently bedridden, substantially confined to his dwelling and immediate premises, or so helpless as to require regular aid and attendance.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeals to reopen claims for service connection for left wrist and right knee disabilities, finding that new evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including fractures of the wrists and ankles, a foot disorder, hypertension, lacerations to fingers and palms, and a skin condition. The decision states that there is no current evidence of these conditions during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment is remanded due to conflicting medical records regarding the presence of left foot drop, which could affect eligibility. Additional VA evaluations are needed to clarify this issue.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions including muscle and joint disabilities, headaches, right knee disability, left knee disability, prostate cancer, diabetes mellitus, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left CTS, and neck disability due to lack of current diagnoses or evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals of the issues related to right ear hearing loss, left ear hearing loss, neck arthritis pain, left elbow arthritis pain, left wrist arthritis pain, left hand arthritis pain, right hip arthritis pain, left hip arthritis pain, right knee arthritis pain, and left knee arthritis pain. The issue of service connection for chronic skin systemic condition is also dismissed.

The Veteran's appeals for higher ratings of his service-connected right and left carpal tunnel syndrome have been dismissed due to the Veteran requesting complete withdrawal of all issues in appeal status.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding an increased evaluation for post traumatic neuropathy of the right wrist and hand. The Veteran's right thumb arthritis was granted a 10 percent evaluation, but no higher, for periods prior to February 11, 2009 and from April 1, 2009 through January 31, 2010. For all other periods on appeal, the Veteran's right thumb arthritis is denied. The Board also granted a TDIU for the period from February 26, 2009 through February 2, 2016.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and his TDIU claim is denied.

The Veteran's post-operative residuals of cubital/CTS of the right upper extremity resulted in severe incomplete paralysis of the median nerve with muscular atrophy, impaired reflexes, pain and numbness. The Board granted a rating of 50 percent for this condition.