Wrist & hand decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for diabetes as secondary to service-connected disabilities, but denied service connection for tinnitus and the other conditions.

The Veteran's left wrist disability is granted an initial 10 percent rating from January 15, 2014. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including right and left elbow, wrist, shoulder, ankle, and skin conditions. The appeals are being remanded due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's cervical spine, right knee, and left knee degenerative arthritis have been granted service connection. Service connection for the right upper extremity (carpal tunnel syndrome) and left upper extremity (carpal tunnel syndrome) neurological disabilities is also granted.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and opinions provided are inadequate for determining whether service connection is warranted for various disorders. The claims are therefore being remanded to obtain new medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU due to incomplete development, including lack of retrospective opinions on functional loss during flare-ups and repetitive use.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete development and the need for additional opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, including whether obesity may be an intermediate step between his service-connected disabilities and current CTS.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and left wrist conditions due to inadequate examination reports.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on the need for aid and attendance was denied as he did not meet the criteria for such benefits due to his service-connected disabilities. The Board found that the Veteran did not have anatomical loss or use of both feet, nor was he blind in both eyes, permanently bedridden, or so helpless as to be in need of regular aid and assistance from another person.

The Veteran's petition to reopen claims for service connection for left wrist, right shoulder, and left shoulder disabilities is granted. The cases are remanded for further development including obtaining VA treatment records and arranging for medical examinations.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development and medical opinions. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is granted as service-connected, but his right wrist disorder, back disorder, and COPD are not yet determined.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for right and left wrist disorders due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives. A new VA examination is needed, and the Veteran should be given another opportunity to provide private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to non-compliance with previous remand directives. The claims include service connection, increased rating, and total disability based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's left lower extremity radiculopathy was granted a 20 percent rating from August 26, 2014. The Board also found the Veteran is entitled to TDIU since March 3, 2017 due to his service-connected disabilities limiting his ability to work.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted as secondary to service-connected knee disabilities.,Service connection for migraine headaches is granted based on a history of head pain after tooth extraction during active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraines, asthma, bilateral pes planus, and others, have prevented her from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment since June 26, 2014.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral CTS (left and right carpal tunnel syndrome) as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected fibromyalgia.

The Veteran's service connection for ischemic heart disease (coronary artery disease) is granted due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents during service. The issues of entitlement to initial compensable ratings for right great toe injury, dermatitis, bilateral foot disability, gastrointestinal disability, and acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded as additional evidence was received prior to certification and transfer to the Board.

The Board has remanded the cases due to additional evidence being added to the claims file since the January 2021 Supplemental Statement of the Case (SSOC). The Veteran and their representative did not waive review of this evidence.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to service connection for various conditions, including DJD, back disorder, diabetes mellitus DM, right eye disorder, GI disorder (gastritis), and skin disorder (rash on groin). The AOJ is instructed to complete the additional development directed in previous remands.