Wrist & hand decisions — 2021

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities, finding that his inability to work is primarily due to non-service-connected conditions including colon cancer and related neuropathies in both legs.

The Veteran's appeal for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to June 12, 2014 was denied as he did not meet the criteria of being precluded from obtaining and maintaining any form of gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to address the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, as the previous VA opinion did not adequately address whether his current condition began in or was caused by his active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right wrist disability and an increased rating for his left shoulder disability. The Board found that there was no evidence of a direct relationship between the Veteran's right wrist disability and his service-connected left shoulder disability, and also determined that the Veteran's left shoulder disability did not warrant a higher than 20 percent rating.

The Veteran's postoperative residuals of carpal tunnel release surgery, left wrist (non-dominant) are rated at 40 percent. The appeal is remanded for consideration of a TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the claims due to the need for additional examinations and consideration of new evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for dysthymic disorder, right wrist disability, and bilateral hearing loss. The claim for increased rating for left wrist sprain is also remanded.

The Board has remanded several claims, including those for increased ratings and service connection for shin splints, wrist disabilities, and knee disabilities. The Veteran's shin splints are being reviewed under the new Diagnostic Code 5262 effective February 7, 2021. Wrist and knee conditions are also being evaluated in terms of their relationship to service-connected shin splints.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for a left knee disability. The remaining issues of service connection for right hip, left arm, left shoulder, and left wrist disabilities are remanded due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss and degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine. The Veteran's left wrist disability and gastrointestinal disability are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is rated at 10 percent and denied for a higher rating. The Board found that the evidence does not support an increased rating due to functional limitations caused by pain, fatigue, weakness, and lack of endurance.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of both upper extremities due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, as the evidence is insufficient to determine his employment history and educational background.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude her from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, thus the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left wrist fracture, finding that the condition clearly and unmistakably preexisted service and was not aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and evaluation, specifically regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability. The issues include determining if a compensable rating is warranted for each of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for unspecified disability, carpal tunnel syndrome (claimed as bilateral hand neuropathy), and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claims are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for additional development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his left wrist disability and to be eligible for TDIU on an extraschedular basis. The case is being remanded for further review.

The Board has granted a higher initial 30 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected left wrist disability, including lunate and navicular chondromalacia, synovitis, and scars, status post arthroscopy.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left thumb condition, left wrist condition, head injury or residuals thereof, high protein in urine, and skin rash have all been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.,There are no indications that the Veteran has any present disabilities related to his active duty service.