Wrist & hand decisions — 2022

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for the award of a separate compensable rating for left wrist tenosynovitis is denied. The Board has also remanded his claim for a higher rating for painful surgical scar, left wrist.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, erectile dysfunction, stomach trouble, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left carpal tunnel syndrome, seizure disorder, and aneurysm have been reopened.,The Veteran's claims of service connection for hypertension were de novo reviewed as new and material evidence had not been submitted.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the Veteran's right knee and right wrist conditions. The VA must obtain new medical opinions that comply with the remand directives.

The Veteran's service connection claim for vasovagal syncope is denied as there is no current disability related to this condition.,The Veteran's right wrist fracture is currently rated at the highest schedular evaluation of 10 percent, and an increased rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's urethral stricture is rated at the minimum compensable level (10%) due to symptoms such as needing absorbent materials more than twice a day.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for tinnitus, chronic acid reflux (GERD), gout, hypertension, and right wrist disability due to potential issues with service connection based on National Guard duty.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for updated medical records and VA examinations. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as service connection for right hip and lumbar spine disabilities, are being addressed.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims due to insufficient evidence and the need for additional VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various foot, hip, wrist, hand, leg, shoulder, spine, and hearing loss disabilities due to incomplete information in the record. The Veteran is required to provide authorization for VA to obtain his private treatment records and undergo examinations to determine if any of these conditions are related to service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has granted service connection for a right wrist condition, finding that the Veteran's current right wrist disability and degenerative changes are related to his military service.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is being remanded for an additional VA examination to determine its current severity and associated limitations.

The Veteran's headache disability, PTSD with TBI, and right wrist disabilities are granted. The Veteran is awarded a 70 percent rating for his PTSD with TBI from February 7, 2018, and an initial 10 percent rating for his right wrist disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate examination and opinion regarding service connection.

The Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with arthritis and IVDS is rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum rating available under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The claim for a higher evaluation is denied.,The Veteran's left wrist posttraumatic arthritis with history of strain, status post left radial fracture (minor) is rated at 10 percent, which is the minimum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5215. The claim for a higher evaluation is denied.

The Board denied service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of both upper extremities due to lack of evidence linking the condition to service, with the longest gap between separation and diagnosis being over three decades.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a current left ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes. The right ear hearing loss claim is remanded due to incomplete examination and need for an etiological opinion regarding any hearing loss shown during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the claims for residuals of a head injury, left elbow disability, right elbow disability, and right wrist and hand disabilities due to inadequate opinions in previous examinations.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for further development and examination.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional medical examination to determine if the Veteran experiences incapacitating exacerbations with his left wrist and left knee arthritis.

The Veteran's asthma is rated at 60 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted. The claims for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder and left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding her left ankle disorder, neck/cervical spine disorder, carpal tunnel syndrome of both upper extremities, and residuals of a traumatic brain injury.