Wrist & hand decisions — 2022

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to assess the Veteran's exposure to herbicides and its potential impact on his claimed conditions. The claims are being remanded for further investigation.

The Veteran's appeals for right wrist disorder and heart disorder have been dismissed. The Board has remanded the issues of low back disorder, skin disorder, and hemorrhoids.

The Veteran's GERD has been rated at 10% since March 2012. The Board granted a 30% rating for GERD effective from the date of the claim, November 2010, based on evidence showing considerable impairment due to persistent symptoms.

The Veteran's service connection claims for hypothyroidism, neck disability, low back disability, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left carpal tunnel syndrome, and bilateral plantar fasciitis have all been granted.,Service connection has been established for these conditions based on their direct relationship to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran's left wrist disability, which includes limitation of motion and pain on movement, is rated at a 10 percent prior to June 10, 2016. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating due to functional loss or impairment.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for aggravation of a preexisting right wrist and forearm disorder, finding that there was an increase in severity during active duty.

The Board denied service connection for right wrist and right knee disabilities, as well as a claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10% for left ankle arthritis. The evidence did not show that the Veteran's current conditions were related to his military service.

The Board has remanded several issues related to service connection for various disabilities, including left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, right and left shoulder disabilities, low back disability, and carpal tunnel syndrome. The appeals are pending further development.

The Veteran's hypertension and left wrist disability are not service-connected due to presumed exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune.,Regarding the left wrist disability, the Board finds that it is more likely related to repetitive stress during active service rather than exposure to contaminated water.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for CTS has been reopened, and she is granted a compensable rating (20%) for impairment to Muscle Groups XVI, XVII, and XVIII with dyspareunia associated with right pubic body fracture. The issue of initial ratings in excess of 20 percent for right and left upper extremity radiculopathy has been remanded.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for various hand, knee, and wrist disabilities due to insufficient examination reports that did not consider the Veteran's lay statements about symptoms since service.

The Board has granted service connection for a right shoulder disability and a bilateral wrist disability, finding that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to the Veteran's active military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not meet the criteria for schedular or extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for TBI, right wrist disability, and right ankle disability are remanded due to the need for VA examinations to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board dismissed the appeal for service connection of bilateral knee condition due to the appellant's withdrawal. The remaining issues were remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for lower back, left wrist, right wrist, left knee, and right knee disabilities have been granted.,VA has also granted the Veteran an effective date of October 14, 2015 for his service connection for a right ankle sprain with tendonitis. However, this claim is being remanded due to additional issues needing further review.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including major depressive disorder, neck condition, right shoulder condition, and carpal tunnel in the right hand, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for left wrist disorder, condyloma acuminate, bilateral elbow disorders, and bilateral hand disorders have been dismissed. The Veteran is now service-connected for bilateral plantar fasciitis, bilateral hallux valgus, and a painful scar related to his service-connected pseudofolliculitis barbae.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for direct service connection of a neurological disorder, including numbness and tingling, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and trigeminal neuralgia. The claim was remanded multiple times but the evidence did not support finding that these conditions began during active service or were related to in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were partially granted, with some issues being reopened and others not. The appeal is dismissed as to the claim of retinopathy due to its full grant. Claims for skin disability, arthritis, high blood pressure, foot injury residuals, and respiratory disorder are all partially granted.