Wrist & hand decisions — 2021

The Veteran's CTS of the left upper extremity is currently rated at 20 percent. The Board has decided to remand his claims for an increased rating for generalized anxiety disorder and a TDIU due to potential worsening symptoms.

The Veteran's heart disability, gout, and acquired psychiatric disorder were denied as not related to service or service-connected conditions.,Service connection was not established for any of the claimed disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that the condition began during active duty and has continued since then.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 14, 2012 for the assignment of a TDIU on an extraschedular basis. The Veteran was found to be unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities since March 14, 2012.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for back disability and carpal tunnel syndrome due to a lack of VA examination opinions. The Veteran will need to undergo VA examinations to determine if his conditions are related to active military service.

The previously denied claims for lower back, left ankle, right ankle, left knee, and right knee disorders are reopened. The claim for gastrointestinal disorder is also reopened. However, the claims for a left wrist disorder remain pending as they need further examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence to support the Veteran's claims for service connection of his right elbow, right wrist, and left ankle disorders. The preponderance of the evidence does not demonstrate a nexus between these conditions and service or any service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his muscle tension headaches prior to November 15, 2010 and from that date onwards. His wrist sprain, ankle disability, thoracic outlet syndrome of the right shoulder and neck, and residuals of a right knee injury status-post lysis of plica were all denied increased ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for a right ear hearing loss disability. The issues of service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist, right shoulder disability, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (including depression) are remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional development due to the need for a VA examination and review of treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was granted with an initial evaluation of 50 percent. The claims for service connection for other conditions were denied, and the case is remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his left wrist disability, finding that the current 10 percent rating adequately compensates him for his symptoms and limitations.

The Veteran's initial rating for carpal tunnel disability of the left wrist was denied as it did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,An initial rating in excess of 30 percent for a hysterectomy from November 1, 2011 to December 1, 2011 was granted. However, an initial rating in excess of 30 percent for a hysterectomy beginning April 1, 2012 was denied.

The Board has denied service connection for fibromyalgia and granted a non-compensable rating for eczema/atopic dermatitis. The Veteran's claim for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, lumbar spine disorder, diabetes mellitus, type II, asthma, and osteoarthritis of the neck and shoulders is remanded.,The Board found that there was insufficient evidence to establish a direct relationship between the Veteran’s current conditions and her service. The claims for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, lumbar spine disorder, diabetes mellitus, type II, asthma, and osteoarthritis of the neck and shoulders are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for peripheral neuropathy of both bilateral upper and lower extremities due to insufficient consideration of all pertinent evidence, including service records showing symptoms related to back and knee injuries.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining outstanding records and scheduling VA examinations. The issues include rating his service-connected disabilities of the back and upper extremities, as well as a claim for TDIU.

The Board has remanded the cases for an adequate VA examination to determine if the Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left hand and wrist disorder, finding that her current disability did not manifest during service or be causally related to her service-connected right hand and wrist disabilities.

The Veteran's left knee disability, including arthritis and instability, is rated at 60% since September 1, 2013. The Veteran also has a right wrist carpal tunnel condition which does not affect the rating of her left knee.

The Board denied service connection for hypertensive vascular disease and an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for left wrist condition.