Wrist & hand decisions — 2021

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including left and right wrist disorders, a lumbar spine disorder, foot pain and numbness, and depression. The case is being remanded to allow for further examination and consideration.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for left shoulder, left wrist, right wrist, left hip, left ankle, and right ankle disabilities due to inadequate VA medical opinions in the March 2019 examination report.

The Veteran's service connection for residuals of a left wrist fracture is granted. The issue of an initial evaluation greater than 10 percent for GERD and the right great toe condition are remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disorder, back disorder, and carpal tunnel syndrome as secondary to his service-connected fibromyalgia.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral wrist disabilities and inguinal hernias, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for painful scars of the right wrist is granted, subject to controlling regulations governing the payment of monetary awards. The issue of entitlement to a TDIU has been raised and requires referral to VA's Director of Compensation Service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right hip, elbow, wrist, hand, and shoulder disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing these conditions began during or were otherwise related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his adjustment disorder and physical conditions like sleep apnea, headaches, joint pain, and neuropathy, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from January 28, 2014 to June 6, 2016.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for hypertension, finding that it is not proximately due or aggravated by his service-connected PTSD. The issues of service connection for degenerative arthritis of the spine and cervical strain (neck condition) are remanded.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to provide the Veteran with an adequate VA examination of his right wrist disability and obtain an addendum medical opinion regarding the etiology of his multiple sclerosis. The claims for increased rating for right wrist disability and service connection for multiple sclerosis are being returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right shoulder disability was granted in March 2020. The issue of TDIU prior to February 21, 2020 is denied as the Veteran has maintained substantially gainful employment. The issue of TDIU from February 21, 2020 remains pending.

The Veteran's right wrist disability, characterized by painful and limited motion without ankylosis, is currently rated at 10 percent under the musculoskeletal rating criteria. The Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted as there is no evidence of ankylosis or other conditions that would allow for a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to his military service or a service-connected right elbow disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment since November 1, 2012. The Board has granted an effective date of November 1, 2012 for the award of TDIU.

The Board has remanded the claims for a low back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, right hip disability, and skin condition. The remaining issues have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of epididymitis, right hand disability, right shoulder disability, right wrist disability, or left wrist disability.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to incomplete records and inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's claims of service connection, rating increases, and TDIU are being returned to the RO for further consideration.

The Veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for bilateral leg eczema and left carpal tunnel syndrome was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating under either set of criteria, with the exception of the moderate impairment noted in June 16, 2015, which is considered to be effective from that date.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA and private treatment records, scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of any left wrist neurological disability, and readjudicating the issues.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based upon individual employability (TDIU) from January 2, 2018 due to his service-connected disabilities. Prior to this date, the evidence did not show he was unable to secure and maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected hearing loss does not meet the criteria for VA compensation purposes.,The Veteran's right knee disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and a higher rating is denied due to lack of limitation of motion or ankylosis.,The Veteran's right hand disability (wrist) is currently rated at 10 percent based on painful motion, and no higher rating is granted as there is no evidence of ankylosis or dislocation of the semilunar cartilage.,PTSD is currently rated at 70 percent, but a higher rating in excess of 70 percent is denied due to lack of total occupational and social impairment.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from obtaining or maintaining a substantially gainful employment.