Wrist & hand decisions — 2021

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left and right wrist degenerative joint diseases are at least as likely as not incurred during service, specifically due to physical training and pushups. As a result, service connection for these conditions is granted.

The Board dismissed the appeals because the appellant died during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's rehabilitation plan and vocational rehabilitation services need to be reviewed due to her request for a change in her long-term goal from obtaining an engineering degree to pursuing a medical doctorate. The discontinuance of her VR&E services was also challenged, and both issues are being remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding all issues on appeal, including increased ratings and service connection claims.

The Board dismissed the appeal of issues related to service connection for gastritis, a rating in excess of 10 percent for pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB), and a compensable rating for facial scars associated with PFB. The issue regarding the character of discharge for the period from March 1977 to March 1979 was resolved in favor of the Veteran, but the appeal is dismissed as there are no remaining issues.

The Veteran's right wrist sprain is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,A compensable (10%) rating for a right upper extremity scar associated with a service-connected right wrist disability has been granted from November 20, 2014, to October 25, 2016.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left hip, right hip, left wrist, and right shoulder disabilities due to conflicting opinions from VA examiners. The Veteran asserts that his current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for neck, bilateral elbow, bilateral wrist, bilateral knee, bilateral ankle, and bilateral foot disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations and failure to meet McLendon v. Nicholson criteria.

The Veteran's tendonitis of the left leg and ganglion cyst of the left wrist have been remanded for additional development.,His spine disability, including spinal stenosis, has also been remanded due to insufficient examination findings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding his in-service fall and its impact on his current disabilities.

The Veteran's degenerative joint disease of the left wrist and status post right wrist fracture with residual pain and weakness are manifested by pain and limitation of motion, but ankylosis is not shown.,For the period prior to May 27, 2015, the Veteran exhibited symptoms consistent with moderate incomplete paralysis of the upper extremities. For the period since May 27, 2015, the Veteran exhibited symptoms consistent with severe incomplete paralysis of the upper extremities.

The Veteran's right wrist sprain has been granted a 10 percent rating, effective February 18, 2010.,The Veteran's residuals of a right finger fracture have been granted a 10 percent rating, effective February 18, 2010.

The Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, Raynaud's syndrome, right knee meniscectomy, left knee replacement, and cervical spine disorder are all granted as service-connected.,Service connection for the left shoulder disorder is denied due to lack of evidence linking it to service.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected TBI, depressive disorder, headaches, and tinnitus. Other service connection claims are either denied or remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for left ear hearing loss and remanded the issues of right shoulder condition and left wrist condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that there is no current disability and insufficient evidence to establish a link between his in-service symptoms and his current condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for right foot compartment syndrome and an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right wrist tendonitis. The evidence does not support a finding that the Veteran has these conditions, and his current ratings are appropriate.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various musculoskeletal and psychiatric conditions due to incomplete development of records from his active duty service.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 40 percent for right wrist ankylosis and the assignment of a separate rating for neuritis of the right upper extremity, evaluated as 40 percent as of November 27, 2019. The Veteran's service-connected conditions were found to be stable throughout each period on appeal.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left wrist disability, headaches, hypertension, and heart disability due to insufficient medical opinions provided by the July 2013 VA examiner. The Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service injuries and symptoms are not addressed.