Wrist & hand decisions — 2023

The Board has granted an extension of a temporary total rating for convalescence for the Veteran's right wrist disability through December 31, 2017. A 30 percent rating was also granted for right wrist tendonitis prior to April 1, 2020. However, a higher than 30 percent rating for right wrist ankylosis from April 1, 2020 onwards is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions and a need for further examination. The Veteran's right wrist condition is being reviewed again to determine if it is related to service or secondary to his service-connected right shoulder strain.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions regarding her left shoulder, ankle, headache, elbow, and carpal tunnel syndrome disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to unresolved issues related to service connection, including exposure to environmental hazards during the Gulf War. The Veteran's mental health conditions and musculoskeletal disabilities are also under consideration.

The Veteran's claims for left wrist degenerative arthritis and pseudofolliculitis barbae (PFB) have been granted. The claim of service connection for dermatitis, to include as secondary to non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, is remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and right wrist sprain are being remanded for additional evaluations due to incomplete medical records and the need for updated opinions considering recent EMG results.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a back disorder and DMII were reopened due to new evidence. The right ankle disability appeal was dismissed as the benefit sought has been granted in full. Service connection for dyslipidemia was denied because it is not a qualifying disability for VA purposes. Other issues are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not cause or contribute to his death, and therefore denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's service connection claims for a left wrist disability and tinnitus are decided as follows: The claim for a left wrist disability is denied, while the claim for tinnitus is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a compensable rating for left ear hearing loss or service connection for right wrist tendinitis, as her conditions are not related to service.

The Board has granted an earlier effective date of August 3, 2016 for the award of service connection for left wrist ganglion cyst removal. The Veteran's claim was timely filed within one year after his separation from active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of various disabilities, including right knee and bilateral hip disabilities, are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations. The claim for left wrist disability is reopened but denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since August 9, 2017.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluation of left wrist disability and service connection for bilateral pes planus are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right wrist rheumatoid arthritis and service connection for a right shoulder disability are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left wrist disabilities, finding that the Veteran's complaints of wrist pain during service are related to her current diagnoses. The rating assigned is 0% as there is no specific disability rating provided.

The Board has found that there was not substantial compliance with its remand directives and has therefore ordered the Veteran's claims for service connection to be remanded for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for GERD, hypertension, skin condition, sleep apnea, nosebleeds, right wrist condition, and left hip condition due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The Veteran contends that these conditions are secondary to his service-connected knee disabilities.

The Board has found that the Veteran's service records cannot be located and that there are no relevant post-service medical treatment records. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, cervical spine disability, right inguinal hernia, memory loss due to concussion, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and bilateral knee disability are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to conflicting evidence regarding the onset and etiology of his claimed disabilities. Additional VA examinations are needed to determine if any current disabilities are related to service.