Wrist & hand decisions — 2022

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as there is not sufficient evidence to substantiate a reasonable possibility that the Veteran is unemployable by reason of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including right eye disability, bilateral foot condition, back disability, right ankle and knee disabilities, bronchitis, and left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome. The reasons given were lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran's left wrist fracture is currently rated at 10 percent, but not higher, for the period prior to December 22, 2018. The appeal is remanded due to a claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder.,For the period prior to December 22, 2018, the Veteran's left wrist fracture warrants a 10 percent rating. A higher rating is denied as there is no evidence of ankylosis or other disabling conditions that would warrant a higher rating under VA regulations.,The Veteran's status post open reduction internal fixation of left proximal radius bayonetted fracture was rated at 10 percent, but not higher, for the period prior to December 22, 2018. The appeal is remanded due to a claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder.,The Veteran's bilateral keratoconus has been rated as noncompensable since July 24, 2020 and in excess of 10 percent thereafter. The appeal is remanded due to a claim of service connection for a lumbar spine disorder.

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

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome is caused or aggravated by his service-connected post-operative right ring finger tendon repair.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development to consider her periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA as a member of the Air Force Reserves and National Guard. The Veteran is also required to undergo VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of her claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's right wrist CTS was granted a disability rating of 50 percent effective November 3, 2015. Prior to this date, the Veteran had a 10 percent rating.

The Veteran's service-connected osteoarthritis of the right little finger and chronic right wrist sprain with avascular necrosis of carpal bones rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to February 23, 2016. The Board granted an extraschedular total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) for this period.