Wrist & hand decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to an initial rating greater than 10 percent for a left wrist disability is being remanded due to the failure to refer the matter to VA's Director of Compensation Services for consideration of an extraschedular rating under 38 C.F.R. § 3.321(b)(1).

The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for right shoulder and right wrist disorders due to an in-service assault, as secondary to service-connected PTSD.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection of undiagnosed neurological disorder with seizures and myoclonic jerks, chronic fatigue syndrome, and chronic joint pain. The Board dismissed the appeals.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, qualifying for TDIU. The dental disorder was not incurred or aggravated by service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluations and service connection have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the appeals.,The Board has also remanded several issues, including an evaluation for lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, a compensable evaluation for left testicular varicocele with right testicular pain and tenderness, an evaluation for restless leg syndrome, and service connection for a traumatic brain injury.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted on the basis of new and relevant evidence.,New evidence has been submitted to support the previously denied claims.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for migraines was denied due to failure to report for the scheduled examination.,The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 70 percent for PTSD was denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities. The issues include bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, bilateral ankle disability, and right leg sciatica.

The Veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his postoperative right wrist disability is denied. The claims for service connection for TMJ and left knee exostosis are remanded.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted a 50% rating, the highest schedular rating.,The claim for service connection of a right wrist disorder is granted as new and material evidence has been submitted.,Service connection for hemorrhoids secondary to IBS is granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a right elbow, right wrist, and right arm disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions based on his active-duty service.

The Veteran's left wrist disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board found no evidence of ankylosis or functional equivalent thereof. The appeal for a higher rating was denied.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and rating determinations. The Veteran's dental trauma claim is denied as new and material evidence was not received. Hypertension, bilateral wrist disorder, right thumb contusion, allergic rhinitis, and headaches are all remanded for additional development.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations performed are insufficient to determine the present claims and additional evidentiary development is needed. The Veteran's sinusitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), right wrist and/or forearm disability, and left wrist and/or forearm disability need further examination and opinion.

The Board has vacated the decision denying a compensable rating for a right wrist ganglion cyst with residual scar and remanded the case to allow for additional development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various knee and hand disorders due to incomplete development of records.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for spine disorder, right wrist disorder, and eye disorder due to insufficient evidence or procedural issues.

The Board dismissed the appeal of service connection for right and left wrist disorders. The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss was granted.

The Veteran's thoracolumbar spine has full range of motion and is not service-connected.,The Veteran's right wrist symptomatology has most nearly approximated painful motion, which warrants a 10% rating under Diagnostic Code 5215. The left wrist also has painful motion, warranting a separate 10% rating.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful occupation.