Wrist & hand decisions — 2021

The claims for service connection for various conditions, including POTS, headaches, SVT, fatigue, joint pain/arthralgia, fibromyalgia, orthostatic intolerance, and chest pain have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims.

The Board has ordered a new examination to determine if the Veteran's current left wrist disability is at least as likely as not related to his service, considering his reported history of continuous symptoms since separation from active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work history, warranting a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence and testimony presented during her hearing. The issues of left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, low back disability, and carpal tunnel syndrome (bilateral upper extremities) are being addressed on the merits.

The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's scars associated with his left wrist injury, finding that three painful scars meet the criteria under DC 7804. The Veteran already receives a separate rating for sensory loss in his left hand.

The Veteran's left index finger tendonitis, left palm Dupuytren's Contracture, and left wrist tendonitis have been granted a 10% rating throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is rated at 10 percent, and his left ankle disability is granted an initial rating of 20 percent effective December 18, 2014 (exclusive of the period for which a temporary total rating was assigned).

The Board has ordered a new examination to determine the current severity and all manifestations of the Veteran's left wrist condition, including SLAC and arthritis diagnoses. The examiner must also address whether these conditions represent separate disabilities from carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent her from maintaining gainful employment with respect to the period on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left hand carpal tunnel syndrome were denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The carpal tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity, including secondary to residuals of surgery for De Quervain’s Syndrome of the right upper extremity, is denied. The ratings for radiculopathy of both lower extremities are denied. A TDIU prior to September 20, 2019, is granted.

The Veteran's scar on the left wrist is granted a 10 percent evaluation. The issues of an increased rating for sleep apnea with bronchial asthma and service connection for tenosynovitis right hand are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea is granted. The claims for residuals of a low back injury and right wrist injury are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection for conjunctivitis, bilateral hearing loss, and left wrist tendonitis has been dismissed. The Board granted service connection for vertigo (claimed as ear infection), gastrointestinal disability, Dupuytren's contracture of the right wrist, right hand, and left hand.,Service connection was established for a gastrointestinal disability, to include enterocolitis, with the Board finding that it is more likely than not incurred during active service. The Veteran also has service-connected bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's left wrist disability and sleep apnea.,Service connection for both conditions is not granted as there is no credible evidence linking them to service.

The Board denied service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II due to lack of a current diagnosis. The case was remanded for further examination on the left wrist and right wrist disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for the residuals of corneal ulcer with infiltrate, left eye has been reopened. The appeal is remanded for further evaluation and rating of his other service-connected disabilities.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's death, and no service connection decisions were made.

The Veteran's hypogeusia (loss of sense of taste) is granted as service-connected.,Bilateral hearing loss and joint pain in the shoulders, wrists, ankles, and elbows are denied as not being related to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including sleep apnea, ADHD, and multiple musculoskeletal conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted his claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).