Wrist & hand decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for various disabilities, including right wrist disability, lung or respiratory disability, heart attack, esophageal disability, gallbladder disability, and stroke, due to VA medical care at the Huntington VA Medical Center on October 25, 1990.

The Veteran's appeals have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeal with the grant of a combined 100 percent disability rating.

The Veteran's right and left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, to include carpal tunnel syndrome, have been granted increased ratings of 40 percent each. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right lower extremity sciatic nerve has been granted an increased rating of 20 percent. The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the left lower extremity sciatic nerve and both lower extremity anterior crural nerves have not met criteria for higher ratings.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for aplastic anemia and ventral hernia have been withdrawn. The appeal to reopen his claim of arthritis of the joints has been granted, but the case is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of his arthritis.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional records and examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a TDIU on an extraschedular basis prior to December 14, 2016, finding that his service-connected disabilities did not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for diabetes mellitus, type II (DMII), hypertension, and peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities due to potential exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam. The claims are also remanded for further examination regarding his right wrist disorder, bilateral ankle disorders, right hip disorder, and left knee disorder.

The Board has directed that the Veteran's records of VA-authorized fee-basis treatment and scanned/VistA imaging records be associated with her file. The issues related to ratings for wrist carpal tunnel syndrome and ankle fracture residuals, as well as TDIU prior to August 11, 2021, are being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for a 30 percent rating for right wrist condition and service connection for GERD as secondary to allergic rhinitis and/or asthma with obstructive sleep apnea due to incomplete information in the record.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of right hand carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that there is no evidence linking her current condition to her military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding VA treatment records and incomplete reasoning in previous decisions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral wrist nerve disabilities, including carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), as secondary to service-connected polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). The VA examinations obtained in May 2021 and February 2022 are inadequate because they did not address whether PCOS aggravated CTS. A new examination is needed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for the residuals of a right wrist fracture, finding that there was no evidence to support the contention that his current right wrist disability is related to his service-connected degenerative arthritis of the left ankle and right hand disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including hypertension and scars on the stomach and left side colostomy pouch. The Veteran's hypertension is granted as incurred in service. Other claims are remanded to obtain additional medical opinions.

The Board has denied service connection for left hand, elbow, wrist carpal tunnel syndrome with osteoarthritis, and wrist scapholunate injury. The Veteran's current disabilities are not related to his active service.,The Board also denied service connection for right elbow and right hand osteoarthritis.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but has remanded the remaining issues related to polyarthritis and ankylosing spondylitis due to lack of a current diagnosis.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to obtain updated medical opinions and examinations regarding his service-connected disabilities, as well as for the claims of hypertension, gastroduodenitis, diverticulitis, and left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board dismissed the appeals for right carpal tunnel syndrome, erectile dysfunction, prostate disorder, nonservice-connected pension, tinnitus, and obstructive sleep apnea. The appeal of bilateral foot disability (secondary to lumbar spine disability) is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the VA has determined that further evidence is needed to determine if her hip and shoulder disabilities are related to service.

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of a current right shoulder disability or any other claimed condition related to service. The Veteran's testimony regarding his right shoulder pain does not meet the threshold requirement for establishing a present disability.