Wrist & hand decisions — 2021

The Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for hemorrhoids prior to April 18, 2016 was denied as the evidence did not show that her hemorrhoids met the criteria for a higher rating.,The Veteran's claims for evaluations in excess of 10 percent for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right and left wrists were remanded due to incomplete records. The claim for residuals of a right ankle fracture was also remanded.,The Veteran's claim for TDIU prior to August 11, 2021 was remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other claims.

The Board has remanded several claims for additional development, including obtaining private treatment records and issuing a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC). The issues include ratings for various disabilities related to TBI, cervical spine, thoracolumbar spine, right shoulder, right knee, left carpal tunnel syndrome, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left thumb sprain, right thumb disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, eye disability, ulnar nerve paresthesias, ankle and wrist disabilities, nausea, constipation, and other conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral wrist arthritis is denied as there is no diagnosed wrist arthritis during the appeal period.,The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50 percent prior to December 21, 2015 and increased to 70 percent beginning from that date.

The Veteran's left upper extremity neuropathy is rated at 20 percent effective December 11, 2009. His left wrist condition remains rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's right shoulder pain and bilateral wrist pain are being remanded for further development as the current medical opinions do not adequately address the nature and etiology of these conditions.,Specifically, the VA examiners did not discuss functional impairment due to pain or provide an opinion on whether the Veteran's in-service exposure to environmental factors or MOS caused his current conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, a rating in excess of 20 percent for a right ulna fracture, and a rating in excess of 30 percent for a right tibia and fibula fracture prior to September 1, 2019, and in excess of 40 percent thereafter have been dismissed. The Veteran's appeal for a rating in excess of 30 percent for persistent depressive disorder is remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to an inadequate November 2019 VA examination, and further development is needed to determine if any left hand or wrist disability is etiologically related to active service.

The Board has determined that the VA opinions are inadequate and requires further examination to determine if the Veteran's gout and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome are related to service. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection claims.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for left lower extremity radiculopathy is granted, with the effective date set at September 14, 2006. SMC based on housebound status and need for regular aid and attendance are denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right shoulder condition and carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist due to inadequate medical opinions in previous examinations.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as she withdrew her appeal for hidradenitis suppurativa, pigmentary retinal dystrophy, and carpal tunnel syndrome of the left hand. The case regarding carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand is not addressed in this decision.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for cyst of mouth, left ankle disability, right lateral epicondylitis, and right wrist sprain due to additional development needed.

The Board has granted service connection for a left hand condition and a left wrist condition, finding that the Veteran's symptoms started during active service and have continued to present.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from attending to the needs of nature, caring for himself, or protecting himself from the hazards of his environment.,Financial assistance for automobile or other conveyance and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only is denied as the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed due to withdrawal. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for cervical spine, bilateral hand, and headache disorders.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a neurologic disability of the left lower extremity, including peripheral neuropathy (PN) of the LLE is granted. The claim for left shoulder disability and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) remains pending.

The Veteran's claim for a separate rating for right thumb arthritis has been granted with a noncompensable (10%) disability rating.,Claims for increased ratings for bilateral wrist disorders and left thumb disorder have been dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these claims.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral wrist arthritis due to insufficient examination opinions and lack of consideration of certain factors.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed. The appeal for a rating in excess of 20 percent for the post-operative right shoulder recurrent dislocation with limitation of motion and mild weakness is dismissed. The appeals for service connection and increased ratings for ischemic heart disease, dermatitis, carpal tunnel syndrome of both upper extremities, and peripheral neuropathy of both lower extremities are dismissed.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating and related issues are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the current severity of his left wrist disability, including median nerve damage. The effective date for service connection is granted as March 15, 2018.