Wrist & hand decisions — 2021

The Veteran's appeal for an initial compensable rating for a right wrist scar has been dismissed due to the death of the appellant.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU rating due to service-connected PTSD effective October 27, 2015. The Board has granted a TDIU rating as of that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right wrist disability has been granted as new and material evidence was received. The claim for chronic lumbar strain with DDD is also granted.,However, the claims for both conditions are denied due to lack of in-service injury or disease causation.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives and additional issues related to service connection for a left arm disability, including carpal tunnel syndrome. Another remand is required.

The Board has granted service connection for right wrist arthritis based on the presumption of chronicity due to continuous symptoms since service.

The Veteran's claims of increased ratings for left wrist, left index finger and thumb, and right wrist de Quervain's disease have been remanded due to the need for extraschedular evaluations.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate rationale in previous VA medical opinions. The Veteran's right arm disability, left wrist arthritis, and bilateral hand/wrist conditions are not found to be related to service.

The Veteran's SMC claim is remanded due to the failure of the AOJ to schedule her for a current examination and obtain her SSA records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for median neuropathy carpal tunnel syndrome, claimed as a right-hand disability. The Board found that there was no evidence of continuity of symptomatology and that the current diagnosis is not related to service or a service-connected condition.

Your claims for service connection have been granted, and you are now receiving a 10% rating for each of the conditions. The appeals are dismissed as they no longer identify specific determinations with which you disagree.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination reports regarding the Veteran's left-hand disability and its relationship with carpal tunnel syndrome. The claim will be returned for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate examination reports and failure to consider all relevant evidence. Specifically, new VA examinations are needed to assess the severity of his gout, migraines, right shoulder disability, and upper extremity disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and opinions regarding his carpal tunnel syndrome claims. The diabetes mellitus claim remains denied.

The Veteran's service connection claim for the residuals of an injury to his left upper extremity, including a left shoulder, left elbow, and left wrist disability, is granted. The Board found that the Veteran has current residuals from an in-service injury and established a link between the current disability and service.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are currently rated at 30 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher 50 percent rating is warranted due to very frequent and prolonged prostrating attacks.,For his right wrist disability, the Veteran was granted a 10 percent rating. The examination revealed limited range of motion with dorsiflexion being less than 15 degrees.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) due to inadequate reasons and bases, inconsistent findings with the record, and failure to discuss relevant evidence. The case is being returned to the Board for further development and readjudication.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding various service connection claims, including for bilateral hearing loss, left arm condition, lumbar strain, left knee condition, left ankle condition, plantar fasciitis, anxiety condition, migraine headaches, jaw condition, lung condition, bronchitis, pneumonia, cervical strain, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, right arm condition, right wrist condition, left wrist condition, kidney stones, right hip condition, left hip condition, and right ankle condition. The appeals were dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his claims.

The Veteran's claim for a clothing allowance due to his right wrist brace damage is remanded because the AOJ did not consider more recent medical records.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to lack of substantial compliance with prior remands. The Veteran's service connection claims are being returned to VA for further action.