Wrist & hand decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The left wrist disability is rated at 10 percent, the left ulnar nerve impairment at 10 percent, and the low back condition is not considered service-connected.

The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome claims are remanded due to outstanding medical records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that there is no current diagnosis of this condition and that it is related to her already service-connected cervical radiculopathy.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions were dismissed due to the death of the Veteran.

The Veteran's left brachial plexus and left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome have been granted service connection as they are found to be related to in-service injuries.,Service connection for the right knee condition is remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU prior to August 31, 2015. The Board denied entitlement to a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral wrist and elbow disabilities, but has remanded them due to a lack of adequate VA examinations and incomplete treatment records.

The Veteran's migraine headaches, right shoulder disability, cervical spine disability, and lumbosacral spine disability are not related to service.,The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of numbness and tingling of the left upper extremity or radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities that could be attributed to active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to deficiencies in the medical opinions provided. The Veteran is advised that if the examiner opines that his reports of continued symptomatology following the October 1995 aspiration are medically inconsistent with the examination findings, the Board may rely on this evidence.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation prior to February 1, 2016. The Board denied the claim for TDIU on both schedular and extraschedular grounds.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the bilateral hips is granted as secondary to her service-connected spondylosis of the lumbar spine. The claims for hypertension and a bilateral wrist disability are remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD due to lack of a current diagnosis.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her left wrist fracture and associated scar, as well as tinnitus, are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to September 7, 2012 was granted. The issues of service connection for left knee disability (claimed as secondary to right knee disability), right wrist disability, and lumbar spine disability (claimed as secondary to right knee disability) were remanded.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for left knee quadricep muscle atrophy disorder and right carpal tunnel syndrome rating was granted, with the earliest possible effective dates being May 6, 2002.,Both conditions were found to have been present since service, but not recognized until the Veteran filed his claims in May 2002.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome, left hand, is related to service and grants this claim.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for PTSD, residuals of cold injury to the feet, and other psychiatric disorders were denied as there was no evidence of a verified in-service stressor or diagnosis of residuals of cold injury to the feet. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen these claims.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for gout was denied as there is no evidence showing that his gout initially manifested during service, nor did it have a nexus with service.

The Veteran's service-connected right wrist condition has worsened since the last VA examination in October 2016, and he should be evaluated again to determine his current disability level.

The Veteran is granted SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(m) for loss of use of both legs and SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(l) based on the need of regular aid and attendance due to multiple service-connected disabilities other than those indicating that he has loss of use of both legs.,The Veteran is also granted SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(o).,However, the Veteran's entitlement to SMC under 38 U.S.C. § 1114(r)(2) remains pending as it requires a higher level of care which has not been determined.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have caused him to be in need of regular aid and attendance, which has been granted for special monthly compensation (SMC).