Wrist & hand decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for gout and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as the TDIU claim due to inadequate opinions provided by VA examiners. The Veteran's lay statements regarding symptom onset will be considered in the supplemental opinions.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for her migraine headaches is denied.,The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for her right and left knee degenerative arthritis, as well as her cervical strain are all remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a right wrist disability and a right thigh/hip disability due to inadequate medical opinions in the May 2019 VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, neck disorder, back disorder, left shoulder disorder, and left leg disorder due to new theories of causation introduced during a hearing. The case is being returned for further development.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating of 40 percent for CTS of the right wrist/hand is granted. The Board finds that his condition more closely approximates moderate incomplete paralysis of all radicular groups, warranting a 40% rating.

The Board denied service connection for a neck condition, left arm condition, headaches, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder ankylosis.,There is no current diagnosis of a left arm condition or bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to lack of evidence showing VA carelessness, negligence, or error in judgment during the January 1993 left wrist surgery.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including hysterectomy residuals and various orthopedic issues, have rendered her unable to work in any physical or sedentary job throughout the appeal period. The Board has granted TDIU based on these disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of vasectomy, left foot toenail fungus, right foot toenail fungus, carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist, carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist, and a left upper arm disability. The Board also denied service connection for a right elbow disability.,The Board denied service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist and a left elbow disability.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, with the exception of chronic sinusitis and right wrist disability. The Board found new and material evidence to reopen these claims.

The Board denied a higher disability rating for the Veteran's left wrist scar, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for musculoskeletal disabilities of the right leg and right arm due to inadequate compliance with prior remand directives. The issues have been recharacterized as all diagnosed musculoskeletal disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inextricably intertwined issues with his claim for cervical spondylosis. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection for left upper extremity radiculopathy, right knee disability, left knee disability, right upper extremity radiculopathy, cervicogenic headaches, and right carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were partially granted. He was awarded a separate 10 percent rating from October 2, 2020, for instability of the right knee. The other claims remain denied.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims due to the death of the appellant.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a low back condition and right carpal tunnel syndrome due to insufficient evidence. The claim for a low back condition is remanded because there was no VA examination conducted, and the issue of right carpal tunnel syndrome requires further review as well.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and rating increases are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records, examinations, and opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the issues of service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome right hand, left hand, primary vitiligo, and degenerative arthritis left knee limitation of flexion and extension due to additional development being needed. The Veteran's lay statements regarding his claimed disabilities will be considered in the new VA opinions.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is rated at 10 percent and the Board denied a higher rating, as well as entitlement to TDIU on both schedular and extra-schedular grounds.

The Board denied service connection for a chronic left wrist disorder, finding that the evidence does not show a chronic left wrist disorder during or within one year after active service and is less likely than not due to service.