Wrist & hand decisions — 2021

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, thus denying his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's TMJD, generalized anxiety disorder with depressive symptoms, lumbar degenerative disc disease with small focal central disc herniation, right wrist sprain, status post right thumb fracture, healed, peripheral neuropathy of the median nerve (left index finger and right thumb), patellofemoral pain syndrome of the left knee, patellofemoral pain syndrome of the right knee, lateral collateral ligament sprain of the left ankle, lateral collateral ligament sprain of the right ankle, tinnitus, trochanteric pain syndrome including trochanteric bursitis (right hip), hallux valgus of the left foot, and hallux valgus of the right foot have all been granted effective dates prior to June 22, 2018.,The Veteran's recurrent urinary tract infection has not been granted an effective date prior to June 22, 2018.

The Veteran's bilateral pes planus, right knee degenerative joint disease, left knee replacement, cervical spine disorder (including cervical strain, cervical degenerative spondylosis, and degenerative disc disease with stenosis and myelopathy), right shoulder calcific bursitis, left shoulder degenerative arthritis, right cervical radiculopathy, left cervical radiculopathy, right wrist strain, left wrist strain, right hand strain, and left hand strain are all granted. The Veteran's foot disorder other than bilateral pes planus and back disorder are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left wrist disability and arthritis of the lumbosacral spine were denied. The Board found that a higher rating was not warranted based on the evidence provided.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claims for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and vision loss, need further review due to potential death of the Veteran. The appeal is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for a higher disability evaluation for his right wrist strain with joint pain and decreased range of motion is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for various joint disorders, including right wrist, left forearm, right fingers, left fingers, left thigh, left buttock, and left foot arthritis. The decision also denied service connection for DDD of the spine.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The remaining issues of service connection for arthralgia, low back disability, esophageal disability, and cardiac disability are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and has remanded the remaining issues due to lack of medical evidence.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that it is not related to his service-connected sleep apnea and does not meet the criteria for secondary service connection.

The Veteran's left wrist disability was rated as 10 percent prior to July 6, 2011 and from November 1, 2011, to April 25, 2013. From July 1, 2013 to March 13, 2020, the Veteran was rated at 20 percent. Since March 14, 2020, he is rated at 70 percent for loss of use of the left hand.

The Board has granted service connection for left upper extremity cervical radiculopathy and carpal tunnel syndrome, right foot achilles tendonitis with spur and plantar fasciitis, left foot achilles tendonitis with spur and hallux rigidus, and degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine, status post cervical fusion and discectomy.,The Board has also granted an initial 10 percent rating for sciatic nerve radiculopathy of the left lower extremity.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left arm disability, right arm disability, right knee disability, and bilateral foot tinea pedis due to new evidence of increased severity since his last VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a right wrist disorder, finding no evidence to support a direct relationship between his in-service injury and current condition.

The Board has granted service connection for left wrist DJD and remanded the issue of service connection for residuals of TBI.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for sinusitis and remanded his increased rating claim for post-traumatic myositis ossificans, left wrist.

The Board has denied service connection for hypertension, but granted service connection for a bilateral wrist disability. The decision is based on the Veteran's active duty service and his current diagnosis of bilateral wrist osteoarthritis.

The Veteran's lumbar laminectomy with IVDS is currently rated as 40 percent disabling before August 1, 2017, and 20 percent thereafter. The claim for a higher rating has been denied.,The Veteran’s recurrent ganglion cyst on the left wrist was initially noncompensable prior to March 15, 2013, and rated as 10 percent disabling thereafter. The claim for a higher rating has been denied.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the femoral nerve of the right lower extremity is currently rated as 20 percent disabling from August 1, 2017. The claim for a higher rating has been denied.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the femoral nerve of the left lower extremity is currently rated as 20 percent disabling from August 1, 2017. The claim for a higher rating has been denied.,The Veteran’s sciatic radiculopathy of the right lower extremity was initially granted a separate rating of 10 percent effective January 7, 2010. The claim for a higher rating has been denied from August 1, 2017 onwards.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve of the right lower extremity is currently rated as 20 percent disabling from August 1, 2017. The claim for a higher rating has been denied.,The Veteran’s sciatic radiculopathy of the left lower extremity was initially granted a separate rating of 10 percent effective January 7, 2010. The claim for a higher rating has been denied from August 1, 2017 onwards.,The Veteran's radiculopathy of the sciatic nerve of the left lower extremity is currently rated as 20 percent disabling from August 1, 2017. The claim for a higher rating has been denied.,Prior to December 1, 2016, the Veteran’s service-connected disabilities did not prevent her from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with her education and occupational background. The claim for TDIU prior to this date has been denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development. The rating for his right wrist condition remains at 30 percent, while a separate 20 percent rating is granted for his right hand nerve condition.