Wrist & hand decisions — 2021

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates due to the need for additional development, including obtaining VA treatment records and scheduling a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the remand instructions were not followed and requires additional medical opinions regarding service connection for cervical spine disability and bilateral upper extremity disability. The claims are being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board denied increased disability ratings for posttraumatic osteoarthritis of the left knee, right knee, and left elbow. The Veteran's wrist condition did not meet the criteria for a rating.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient development and need for additional medical opinions regarding the Veteran's left carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's initial 60 percent disability rating for service-connected gout is granted, and a separate 10 percent rating for each knee due to shin splints is also granted. The appeal regarding tinnitus, increased ratings for the bilateral foot disability, TDIU, and service connection for shin splints is remanded.

The Veteran's bilateral wrist strains are evaluated at a maximum of 10 percent each, and the Board finds no basis for granting higher ratings.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The issues on appeal were related to increased ratings for headaches and carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as a TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and evaluations.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for a higher rating of 10 percent for service-connected right wrist tendonitis, and the Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's psoriatic arthritis is related to his service-connected psoriasis and grants service connection for all claimed conditions on a secondary basis.

The Board has denied service connection for right shoulder condition, bilateral hearing loss, restless leg syndrome, residuals of a fracture of the left wrist, and cervical strain. The claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence in some cases.

The Board has remanded the cases of the Veteran's right hand/wrist condition, left ankle condition, and low back condition due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology during service.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and the need for additional development regarding the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left wrist disability.

The Board has determined that the current medical opinions are inadequate and remanded for further examination to determine if service connection is warranted for bilateral knee, right shoulder, left wrist, and right wrist disabilities.

The appeal to reconsider the claims of service connection for tendonitis of the right hip, bilateral ankles, right wrist, and thumbs is granted.,The appeal to reconsider the claim of service connection for headaches is granted.,The appeal to reconsider the claim of service connection for chest pain (claimed as chest pain and hypertension) is granted.,The appeal to reconsider the claim of service connection for frequent urination (claimed as an enlarged prostate) is granted.,The appeal to reconsider the claim of service connection for sleep apnea is granted.

The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a right wrist disorder is granted. The case is remanded for further examination and evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD prevented him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to May 21, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected right wrist arthritis was denied as the evidence did not show ankylosis, which is required for a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for disability manifested by widespread joint and muscle pain (other than chronic lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease, left knee degenerative joint disease, and right wrist strain) has been granted.,Service connection has also been established for insomnia secondary to service-connected sleep apnea. The Veteran's fatigue is being remanded for further examination.