Wrist & hand decisions — 2021

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left wrist scapholunate, lunotriquetral, and TFCC tears. The opinion is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service-connected left wrist fracture or other factors.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of frostbite of the bilateral feet, PTSD, and hypertension. The claims for TBI, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral eye disability, and back disability are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete verification of the appellant's periods of active duty training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty training (INACDUTRA). The lumbar spine disorder, major depressive disorder, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome are all currently diagnosed. The Board instructed that further VA opinion is needed after verifying the service dates.

The Veteran's claims for a left wrist scar, asthma, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) are being remanded due to procedural errors in the initial decision. The AOJ is instructed to provide VCAA notice and assist in obtaining any relevant private treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right wrist, cervical and lumbar spine disorders, and a service-connected mental disorder, precluded him from securing or following substantially gainful employment throughout the appeal period. The claim for TDIU is granted.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death, and the Board cannot proceed with the merits of the case.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the right wrist injury and low back disorder claims, resulting in their dismissal.

The Board has denied service connection for left knee, right knee, and right wrist disabilities. The claims for a skin disability of the face and scalp and neck disability are remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased evaluation and service connection have been dismissed due to the Veteran's request for withdrawal of these appeals prior to a decision being made.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as inadequate examinations. The issues of low back disability, right ankle disability, bilateral wrist disability, and left knee disability are now before the Board.

The Veteran's need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, particularly his spine, left hand, left wrist, right hand, right wrist, and bilateral knees, has been established. As a result, the Veteran is entitled to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance of another person.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment, and the Board finds that he is capable of performing the physical and mental acts required by employment.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The claims were reopened due to new evidence submitted since the June 2012 rating decision.

The Board has found that there were pre-decisional duty to assist errors and a remand is required for the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for trouble sleeping, left shoulder pain, and left wrist pain. The VA was not able to obtain relevant private treatment records due to lack of notification or follow-up.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine the etiology of right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome and whether it was incurred in service or due to any incident of service, including a right wrist injury with dorsal subluxation of the ulna. The case is being remanded for this purpose.

The Veteran's right arm neurological disorder, including carpal tunnel syndrome, is not considered to be caused by VA treatment and therefore compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 is denied.

The Board has found that additional evidence is needed to determine the etiology of the veteran's claimed disabilities, and thus remands the cases for further development.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for her wrist disabilities have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of the claims.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right wrist condition and painful and weakened motion of the right hand and fingers is granted. He was previously rated at 10% for the wrist, but now receives a separate 20% rating for the hand and finger issues.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for an initial compensable rating for dermatofibrosis and service connection for ulnar abutment, left wrist due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.