Wrist & hand decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings due to insufficient evidence and failure to obtain VA examinations. The Veteran is required to provide information about all medical providers who have treated him, including any VA records.

The Board has restored the 20 percent rating for post-operative left wrist fracture and remanded the case to determine if a higher rating is warranted.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The issues of service connection for irritable bowel syndrome, right wrist disability, hypertension, erectile dysfunction, and bilateral foot disability are remanded.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed residuals of frostbite, including carpal tunnel syndrome.

The appeals of the claims for right ear hearing loss, dental disability, and tinnitus have been withdrawn. The remaining issues are dismissed due to lack of evidence or new information.

The Veteran was found to be gainfully employed throughout the period of appeal and thus not unemployable due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for LEFT shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis with AC joint osteoarthritis, LEFT ring finger limitation of motion, and a LEFT wrist scar have been dismissed.,The Veteran's appeals for an initial rating greater than 0 percent for a RIGHT chest scar (status post cyst removal), secondary service connection for erectile dysfunction, and service connection for insomnia / sleep disorder have been granted.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for PTSD with associated anxiety has been granted.,The Veteran's appeal for service connection for deviated nasal septum from a broken nose has been denied due to aggravation of a pre-existing condition.,The Veteran's appeals for secondary service connection for insomnia / sleep disorder and erectile dysfunction have been granted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for sleep apnea, erectile dysfunction (ED), alopecia, pseudofolliculitis barbae, left shoulder osteoarthritis, left elbow tendonitis, neck pain, hypertension (HTN), and rhinitis were dismissed. The Board found that the Veteran withdrew his appeal of these claims before the decision was promulgated.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, erectile dysfunction, benign prostatic hypertrophy, memory disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, lumbar spine disability (chronic low back pain), chronic cervical strain, allergic rhinitis, gastrointestinal disabilities, colon diverticulosis, and degenerative joint diseases of multiple joints. The Board found no evidence to support service connection for any of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hand strain and arm cramps, including wrist conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome due to additional development being necessary.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his right arm scar and right wrist disability was granted. However, the claim for service connection for a psychiatric disorder to include PTSD was denied due to failure to report for an examination without good cause.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis of both wrists and hands, finding that there is no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient medical opinions regarding service connection. The Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and left knee disability are currently under review.

The Veteran's right wrist disability, which includes degenerative arthritis post-radial styloidectomy, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board denied an increased rating for the condition as there was no evidence of limitation of motion or ankylosis warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss has been reopened, but service connection is not granted.,Service connection was denied for right collar bone condition, left knee disability, left wrist disability, and left shoulder disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as he has not provided necessary employment information and there is insufficient evidence to determine his ability to secure or follow substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development to determine if the Veteran's right shoulder and bilateral wrist disabilities are related to his military service, including exposure to environmental factors while serving in Southwest Asia.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hand disorder, bilateral wrist disorder, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, and acquired psychiatric disorder are not service-connected.

The Board denied service connection for various shoulder, elbow, and wrist disabilities due to a lack of evidence showing that these conditions began during the Veteran's period of active duty or were related to his military service.

The Veteran's left wrist disability has been rated at 10% since January 23, 2012. The Board denied a higher rating as the evidence did not show ankylosis of the wrist.,The Veteran's right middle finger disability has also been rated at 10% since January 23, 2012. The Board denied a higher rating due to lack of ankylosis or other compensable findings.