Wrist & hand decisions — 2021

The Veteran's asthma claim was denied for an increased rating, and the left wrist and hand disorder claim was remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board found that the Veteran’s asthma required daily inhalational bronchodilator therapy but did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board dismissed the claim of service connection for CTS of the left upper extremity. The Veteran's pes planus was granted as service connected.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for right ear hearing loss was denied. The Veteran also appealed the initial rating assigned for his right wrist disability, which had previously been granted but is now being reconsidered.,The Veteran’s right wrist disability remains at a 10 percent rating due to painful motion with some limitation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for cervical spine and left wrist disorders due to insufficient development and lack of medical opinions addressing his service connection claims. The VA is required to obtain additional evidence, schedule examinations, and provide clarifying medical opinions.

The Board has denied service connection for right foot disability, left foot disability, residuals of a left eye injury, cervical spine disorder, asthma, and left wrist and hand fracture. The evidence does not support the Veteran's claims that these conditions are related to his military service.,Service treatment records do not show any documented injuries or diagnoses related to these conditions during his active duty.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left wrist disability and sleep disorder (OSA) as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his in-service injuries or exposure, and the medical opinions provided do not support a nexus between his claimed conditions and service.

The Board denied service connection for peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral lower extremities and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) of the bilateral upper extremities, finding no evidence linking these conditions to service or presumed herbicide exposure.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome secondary to the Veteran's service-connected cervical strain. The skin rash claim is remanded.

The Board has reopened the claim for service connection for a left wrist condition due to new and material evidence. The right wrist condition remains in dispute and is also remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened and are granted. Service connection is established for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and PTSD.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and TDIU was denied. The right wrist disability is rated at 10 percent prior to November 19, 2020 and at 30 percent from that date forward. The case is remanded due to the need for additional development regarding the TDIU claim.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional evidence and further development, including obtaining medical records from Drs. Smith, Wells, and Ruis.

The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the bilateral upper extremities is denied as there is no evidence of a chronic disability in service or within the applicable presumptive period, and continuity of symptomatology has not been established.,The Veteran’s bladder condition is remanded for further development due to its potential secondary relationship to his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The acquired psychiatric disorder claim is also remanded as it may be related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for painful joints and bilateral eye disabilities, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.,Specifically, the VA examiner determined that the Veteran’s current joint pain and eye disabilities are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's service connection claims for ganglion cysts, right wrist and left wrist were denied. The Veteran was granted initial compensatory disability ratings for hypertension and cardiomyopathy, as well as an initial 20 percent rating for a left shoulder condition. Other service-connected conditions received increased or new disability ratings.

The Board denied service connection for left wrist tendonitis and left thumb tendonitis, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are not related to her military service.,For the right ankle disability, the Board found insufficient evidence to determine if it was caused or aggravated by her service-connected right foot disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for muscle injury to the left hand (including Dupuytren’s contracture) and nerve damage to the left hand (including carpal tunnel syndrome), finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing and following substantially gainful employment since April 25, 2008.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, finding that the evidence did not support a link between any of these conditions and the Veteran's active service.