Wrist & hand decisions — 2021

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment for the appeal period from March 30, 2010 to November 21, 2011. An effective date of March 30, 2010 is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right wrist disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left wrist arthritis and left shoulder disorder due to inadequate examination reports. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's PTSD is rated at 100 percent effective July 16, 2012. The Veteran also received SMC based on housebound status due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for right wrist disability, bilateral knee disability, and dry skin of scalp and face due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran is also being asked to provide additional evidence regarding his neck condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for a thoracolumbar spine disorder, cervical spine disorder, left upper extremity disorder, and bilateral eye disorder due to additional development being required.

The Board has granted service connection for various disabilities associated with Reiter's syndrome and awarded an effective date of April 3, 1997.

The Board has granted a 20% disability rating for the Veteran's right ankle disability, but has remanded his claim for service connection of left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted from July 31, 2006. The Board also referred the issue of TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to July 31, 2006 for further review.

The Veteran's right ankle disability, including instability and posterior tibial tendonitis, is granted a separate rating of 20 percent. Service connection for Ehlers-Danlos syndrome with mast cell activation disorder, lumbar degenerative disc disease, right-hand disability, left-hand disability, and POTS are all granted. Service connection for a sleep disorder is denied.

The Board has found that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection for left foot disorder, right foot disorder, sleep disorder, increased ratings for left clavicle subluxation with shoulder strain disability and status-post scaphoid fracture with carpal fusion, right wrist disability, and a TDIU. The claims are being remanded to obtain updated VA treatment records and examination reports.

The Board has determined that the VA examination and medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left wrist disability are inadequate, necessitating further development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for right hand carpal tunnel syndrome was denied, but her service connection claim for irritable bowel syndrome was granted.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to adjudicate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right knee disabilities have been dismissed as they were granted in prior rating decisions.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for allergic rhinitis and urticaria, and a compensable rating for the residual surgical scar of the left wrist, status post left dorsal ganglion cyst excision, are denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spondylosis, radiculopathy of the right and left lower extremities, and right wrist strain have been remanded for further examination.,Service connection for vertigo with bilateral hearing loss is also remanded as the Veteran has provided new evidence since his last VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right thumb disability, broken right wrist and residuals, low back condition, and hemorrhoids due to incomplete medical records. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has determined that further clarification is required prior to a decision on the merits of the Veteran's claims due to internal inconsistencies in previous opinions and the need for additional evidence.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder pain and bilateral wrist pain due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Veteran's effective date for a 40% rating for his service-connected right wrist disability is set at October 29, 2013. The decision grants the increased rating and resolves any doubt in favor of the Veteran.