Wrist & hand decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claims for hallux valgus, TBI, acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD), fibromyalgia, musculoskeletal joint pain of wrist, shoulders, and neck, and sleep apnea due to incomplete records and need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including low back disorder, left knee disorder, left ankle disorder, and bilateral foot disorders. The VA examiner's opinions are inadequate as they do not address the Veteran's contentions regarding her work history and post-service symptoms.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including left wrist fracture residuals, lumbar spine degenerative joint disease and degenerative disc disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, right upper extremity neuropathy, left upper extremity neuropathy, right lower extremity neuropathy, and left lower extremity neuropathy. The decision is based on the lack of evidence showing a current disability or chronic symptoms during service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on multiple conditions has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeals.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered her unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment from April 5, 2012. The Board granted a TDIU for this period. However, the issue of entitlement to a TDIU prior to April 5, 2012 is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the threshold requirements for Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU) during the specified rating periods. There is no evidence of inability to perform sedentary employment due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings were denied. The right wrist strain claim was not granted a rating in excess of 10 percent, and the tension headaches prior to May 27, 2016 claim was also denied. From May 27, 2016 onwards, the Veteran received a 30 percent rating for his tension headaches.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to December 8, 2018. Therefore, the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to evaluate his claim for a separate compensable rating for numbness of the left hand, as well as to address whether he should be granted an increased rating for his service-connected limitation of motion of the left wrist.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that the Veteran's current diagnosis is not related to his military service.,The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee post-operative status repair prior to March 5, 2019 and initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right knee traumatic arthritis with decreased flexion and pain prior to March 5, 2019.

The Board finds that additional medical opinions are needed to determine if the Veteran's joint pain, gastrointestinal disorder, fatigue, and headaches are due to undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illnesses.,The Board finds that additional medical opinions are needed to determine if the Veteran's ulcerative colitis is related to in-service exposure to environmental hazards or otherwise related to service.,The Board finds that additional medical opinions are needed to determine if the Veteran's fatigue is due to undiagnosed illness or medically unexplained chronic multisymptom illnesses.,The Board finds that an examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's headaches are related to in-service TBI or otherwise related to service.,The Board finds that an examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's right hand wrist strain and left hand wrist strain are related to service.,The Board finds that an examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's disability of the left hand fingers and disability of the right hand fingers are related to service.,The Board finds that an examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's cervical spine disability is related to service.,The RO combined the rating for residuals of concussion with PTSD. The Board finds that a separate rating for residuals of concussion should be considered in light of the Veteran's reported overuse injury and repetitive motion stemming from his service duties.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, right and left carpal tunnel syndrome due to potential errors in previous decisions. The AOJ is instructed to provide proper VCAA notice regarding the PTSD claim based on alleged personal assault/harassment and obtain relevant SSA records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for arthritis of the bilateral knees, low back condition, and carpal tunnel syndrome (left hand and right hand) due to insufficient evidence on record.

Service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand and obstructive sleep apnea is granted.,Service connection for asthma is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service, but remanded for further clarification on secondary service connection.,Service connection for hypertension is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service, but remanded for further clarification on secondary service connection.,Service connection for gastrointestinal disability (IBS) is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service, but remanded for further clarification on secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates and increased ratings are denied. The Board finds that the evidence supports a 100% rating from September 25, 2015, but no earlier. The Veteran's TBI, lower back disability, and wrist conditions are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her in need of aid and attendance, housebound, and eligible for specially adapted housing. The appeal regarding a special home adaptation grant is dismissed as moot.

The Board denied service connection for left ankle, right ankle, left wrist, right wrist, and right elbow disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active duty.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for various conditions have been dismissed as he withdrew his claims prior to the promulgation of a decision.

The Veteran's COPD and emphysema, right radial neuropathy, right hallux valgus (based on service aggravation), and left hallux valgus (based on service aggravation) have been granted. The Veteran's right carpal tunnel syndrome has been denied as secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the claims for left knee chondromalacia patella, right knee chondromalacia patella, residuals of a right wrist injury, left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, hypertension, gastroduodenitis, and diverticulitis due to inadequate examination reports and incomplete medical findings.