Wrist & hand decisions — 2023

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, and panic disorder have been granted initial ratings of 30%, 30%, and 50% respectively. The Veteran's service-connected right carpal tunnel syndrome and left carpal tunnel syndrome have not resulted in a compensable rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed in order to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection. This includes obtaining medical records and conducting VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of any sleep disorder, right hand and wrist disorder, bilateral hip disorder, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and ulcers.

The Board has remanded the cases of service connection for a left wrist condition and hypertension due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran's claims are pending further development.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for left and right carpal tunnel syndrome due to inadequate nexus opinions.

The Veteran's claim for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected left wrist strain is denied as the evidence does not show ankylosis, which would warrant a higher rating.

Your appeals for service connection have been dismissed as the Veteran has withdrawn them.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims for further development due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran. The remaining issues are related to right wrist, shoulder, and low back conditions.

The Board has determined that the medical opinions regarding the appellant's Crohn's disease are inadequate and remanded for a new opinion. The issues of service connection for various conditions, including depression, gastroparesis, regional enteritis of small intestine, psoriasis, arthritis, and osteoporosis, are also being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability with IVDS is rated at 40 percent, which is the maximum available rating under the General Rating Formula for Diseases and Injuries of the Spine. The Board found no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes due to IVDS.,The Veteran's left wrist posttraumatic arthritis with history of strain, status post left radial fracture is rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum available rating under Diagnostic Code 5215. The Board found no evidence of ankylosis.

The Veteran's hypertension is denied as there is no evidence of a chronic condition in service and the gap between discharge and diagnosis is too large to establish continuity.,Tinnitus is granted as it is related to military noise exposure, despite the examiner's opinion that his MOS had a low probability for hazardous noise exposure.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including major depressive disorder, is remanded as there is insufficient evidence to determine if it is service-connected.,The right wrist condition is remanded due to lack of in-service diagnosis and treatment, despite the Veteran's reports of injury during service.,The respiratory condition is remanded as there was no diagnosed respiratory condition at the time of examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened, and the issues of entitlement to service connection for various musculoskeletal disabilities have been remanded. The claims for soft tissue sarcomas and thyroid disorder are also being remanded.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as related to in-service noise exposure.,His right ankle injury residuals are denied due to lack of evidence of a current disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the onset and etiology of the Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, specifically whether it is related to service-connected conditions or chemical exposure.

The Veteran's combined rating for service-connected disabilities prior to December 21, 2016 is determined to be 100 percent.

The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity (major) is granted a 30 percent evaluation, effective July 16, 2018. The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity (minor) is granted a 20 percent evaluation, effective July 16, 2018. Service connection for lumbar spine disorder, left knee disorder, and right knee disorder are all granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various wrist, knee, and neck disorders are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions. His claim for an initial compensable rating for tinea pedis is also being remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for left wrist ligament tear has been dismissed due to the Veteran withdrawing their appeal.

The Board has granted a TDIU effective January 28, 2021, based on the Veteran's service-connected disabilities preventing him from obtaining and maintaining gainful employment.

The Veteran's low back disability, bilateral hearing loss, left hand disability (claimed as pain), and right wrist disability are all granted service connection. However, the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss and left hand disability (claimed as pain) were denied due to lack of a current disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and improper credibility determinations. The Veteran's right wrist disability is being reviewed for direct service connection.