Wrist & hand decisions — 2023

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for high cholesterol was dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus, with the condition having been shown in service and continuing since then.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left knee and left wrist disabilities, as secondary to right knee disabilities due to toxic exposure at Camp Lejeune.

The appeal with respect to the claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a left wrist fracture is dismissed.,Entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for thigh impairment rated under DC 5253 as a residual of right hip fracture or left hip arthritis has been denied.,An initial 10 percent rating for loss of thigh flexion as a residual of right hip fracture and left hip arthritis from August 27, 2015 is granted.,An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for limitation of thigh extension as a residual of right hip fracture and left hip arthritis from August 27, 2015 has been denied.,Prior to August 24, 2023, the criteria for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for sacroiliac joint osteoarthritis with degenerative disc disease and compression fracture at T-11 and T-12 status post motor vehicle accident have not been met.,For the period beginning August 24, 2023, the criteria for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for sacroiliac joint osteoarthritis with degenerative disc disease and compression fracture at T-11 and T-12 status post motor vehicle accident have not been met.

The Board has dismissed all claims for service connection due to the Veteran's timely filing of a Decision Review Request (DRR) opting into the Appeals Modernization Act, which allows for dismissal of appeals.

The Board has granted service connection for right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral shin splints, and facial acne, all of which are deemed to be directly related to the Veteran's active-duty service.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus, headaches, anxiety disorder, hemorrhoids, and left wrist arthritis.,A minimum rating of 30 percent for gastrointestinal reflux disease and irritable bowel syndrome has been granted.

The Board denied service connection for thoracolumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, and right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome. The appellant's preexisting scoliosis was found to have clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service and not been aggravated by service.

The Veteran's cervical strain is granted service connection. Service connection for left and right carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as chronic low back strain, are denied. The Veteran's rectovaginal fistula rating is remanded due to lack of VA treatment records. Service connection for a bowel condition is also remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's claimed left wrist, bilateral knee and left shoulder conditions. Service connection was denied only for his right knee condition.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been dismissed. The issues of TDIU, severance of service connection for residuals of a TBI and headache disorder, reduction of rating for acquired psychiatric disorder, and remand for additional determinations on various conditions have been addressed.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination to determine if service connection should be granted for right wrist condition, left wrist condition, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent her from securing and following any substantially gainful occupation, resulting in a grant of TDIU.

Service connection for major depressive disorder with accompanying alcohol use disorder is granted. Service connection for right hand carpal tunnel syndrome is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for higher ratings on multiple conditions, including PTSD, lumbosacral strain, radiculopathy of the lower extremities, gastrointestinal disability, bilateral wrist disabilities, and obstructive sleep apnea, was denied. The appeals were remanded for further action.

The Veteran's right wrist degenerative arthritis is granted service connection. The issue of TDIU and initial disability ratings for lumbar spine disability, left lower extremity radiculopathy, and right lower extremity radiculopathy are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a disability rating greater than 10 percent for residuals of a right wrist fracture with osteochondrosis and for TDIU prior to April 28, 2022. The case will be reviewed again after additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left elbow and wrist disabilities due to conflicting medical opinions regarding their onset during active service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection and granted them, finding new and material evidence to support these claims. The appeals are remanded for further development regarding the right knee disability and memory loss/cognitive impairment.

The Veteran's TBI is granted as service connected. The issues of right and left wrist carpal tunnel are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to incomplete medical opinions and need for additional examinations.