Wrist & hand decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various hand, wrist, shoulder, and spine disorders have been denied as there is no evidence of in-service incurrence or a nexus to service.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for various service connection and rating issues, including those related to sleep apnea, hypertension, hyperthyroidism, right knee patellofemoral syndrome, bilateral shin splints, right forearm condition (elbow limitation of flexion), right wrist sprain, migraine headaches, and sinusitis. The appeals were dismissed due to the Veteran's agreement with the RO's determinations on these issues.

The Board has determined that the AOJ erred in denying service connection for left wrist disability and soft-tissue lipoma, right lateral chest. The Veteran's representative is also noted to have changed, but this does not affect the current appeal.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated VA examination records and developing his claim for TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development of his VA treatment records.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for right wrist and bilateral foot disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examinations and the need for new evaluations, as well as the need to obtain additional private treatment records.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is not considered incurred during or caused by his period of active service, and it was denied secondary to service-connected migraines.,The Veteran's CTS of the bilateral wrists is also not considered incurred during or caused by his period of active service.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for left wrist osteoarthritis, finding that the evidence did not support an increase in disability.

The Board has remanded the case for further clarification on the nature and cause of the Veteran's current left wrist disabilities, including whether they are related to service or aggravated by a fall injury during active duty. The examiner is asked to provide opinions regarding these issues.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for his right wrist, left thumb, and associated fingers were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating than 10 percent for any of these conditions.,The Veteran was also denied an increased rating for his right hand scar.

The Veteran's healed right wrist fracture is rated at 10 percent, which is the highest rating available under DC 5215.,The Veteran's DDD of the cervical spine was initially granted but not rated higher than 20 percent prior to December 15, 2014. After that date, a 30 percent rating has been assigned.,Beginning December 15, 2014, the Veteran is entitled to a 30 percent rating for his DDD of the cervical spine.

The Veteran's bilateral wrist tendonitis is not service-connected.,The Veteran's right knee condition is not service-connected, and was not caused or aggravated by a service-connected disability.,The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of facial swelling.,The Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of total body numbness and tingling.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's lay statements in the medical opinions provided. The claims for service connection are being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates prior to October 7, 2011 were denied as a matter of law due to the finality of the January 24, 2000 rating decision that initially denied service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation, and his appeal for TDIU, including on an extraschedular basis, is denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives, specifically regarding a VA examination of the Veteran's right wrist condition. The AOJ is instructed to provide an adequate examination and obtain any necessary medical records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to new evidence and for further development.

The Veteran's application to reopen a previously denied claim for service connection for his left knee disability is granted. The claims for service connection for right wrist and hip disabilities are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete records and requests for authorization of private medical records.