Wrist & hand decisions — 2021

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left wrist disability, to include ganglion cyst and right shoulder disability. The case is remanded for further development regarding the Veteran's left shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims due to new evidence and symptomatology.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient initial adjudication of certain issues and for an addendum opinion on his TBI residuals.

The Veteran's right knee condition is currently rated at 30 percent from August 1, 2013. The Board has remanded the case to address whether a higher rating is warranted prior to that date.,Service connection for various conditions (left wrist, right wrist, right elbow, left elbow, right hand, left hand, and left knee) are also remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient examination findings regarding passive range of motion and additional limitations on functional ability based on flare-ups.

The Veteran's right-hand laceration scar is not rated higher than 10 percent prior to August 26, 2019 and a rating higher than 10 percent is denied beginning August 26, 2019.,The Veteran's right-hand disability (to include carpal tunnel) is remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory condition other than sarcoidosis and sleep apnea, as well as his right wrist disorder and bilateral ankle conditions. The evidence did not support separate diagnoses or a causal link to service.,The Board found that the preponderance of the evidence was against finding that the Veteran had a separately diagnosable respiratory condition other than his service-connected sarcoidosis and sleep apnea, and denied his claims for right wrist disorder and bilateral ankle conditions.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, right shoulder/upper clavicular radiculopathy with RUE carpal tunnel syndrome, and LUE carpal tunnel syndrome are not rated higher than the currently assigned ratings. The Veteran’s OSA with residuals of sarcoid is also not rated higher.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings of his right wrist and left leg conditions are being remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and conducting examinations.

The Board denied service connection for a right wrist condition as there is no evidence of a current diagnosis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for left wrist and thumb/hand disabilities, finding no current diagnosed conditions related to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including his lumbar spine disorder and radiculopathy of the lower extremities, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain a substantially gainful occupation prior to September 1, 2015. As such, TDIU on an extraschedular basis is granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome due to inadequate opinions on direct service connection and aggravation of a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's left upper extremity (dominant) is rated at 70 percent for cubital tunnel syndrome, ulnar nerve and carpal tunnel syndrome. The right upper extremity (minor) remains rated at 30 percent.

The Veteran's claim for an increased initial evaluation and a compensable disability rating for his service-connected ganglion cyst, right wrist status post excision is remanded due to the need for new evidence. The issue of scars associated with this condition also requires further examination.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the issues of entitlement to service connection for sleep apnea, left wrist condition, right ankle condition and low back condition are being remanded for further development.,The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran’s sleep apnea is related to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment prior to November 5, 2020.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining National Guard records and SSA disability benefits application records.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and low back strain, but has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral wrist disability, nasal disability, and initial compensable rating for hypertension. The Veteran's dermatitis case is also being remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and TDIU prior to September 29, 2011 have been dismissed as the AOJ granted these claims in June 2020.