Wrist & hand decisions — 2023

The Board has granted a TDIU for the period from December 7, 2012, to August 21, 2016, and established basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance Benefits for the same period.

The Veteran's TDIU and increased rating claims for cubital tunnel syndrome were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support an earlier effective date for TDIU or a higher rating for cubital tunnel syndrome.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right wrist disability, left wrist disability, and right knee patellofemoral syndrome due to insufficient medical opinions regarding her current disabilities and their relationship to service.

The Board has found that the RO did not complete all directed development and returned the matter to the RO for further action. The Veteran's service records, including his MOS and locations of service, need to be verified, as well as VA examinations and opinions regarding his claimed disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for hypertension and denied service connection for a right wrist injury, to include carpal tunnel syndrome, and a right wrist scar.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, but the Board has not yet determined whether they are well-grounded or entitled to service connection. The appeals for increased ratings and other issues remain pending.

The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings for his right knee and right wrist disabilities have been dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran's persistent depressive disorder was granted service connection as it is presumed to have been incurred during his active duty. The Board also found that the Veteran had other disabilities, including sleep apnea and recurrent rashes, which are not directly related to his service.

The Board has granted service connection for left 5th, index, long, and ring finger disorders as well as right long and ring finger disorders.,Service connection was also granted for the Veteran's right thumb disorder.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining a VA examination to address whether the Veteran's bilateral wrist disability and right knee disability are related to his service or service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence, and further investigation is needed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar spine, right wrist, and left wrist disabilities due to insufficient medical opinions.,Service connection is not granted as there is no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to secure an adequate etiology opinion regarding the claimed conditions, specifically addressing whether they are caused or aggravated by service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left carpal tunnel syndrome is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has granted a higher rating of 20 percent based on moderate incomplete paralysis during the appeal period.

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal as his September 2017 VA Form 9 was not timely filed, making the June 2015 rating decision final.

The Board has granted service connection for a migraine headache disability. However, the right wrist condition, bilateral shin splints, and breast pain disabilities are remanded due to functional impairment issues.

Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is granted. Service connection for bilateral hearing loss, fatigue, left shoulder pain, right wrist pain, esophageal reflux, sleep disturbances, headaches, lung condition, hypertension, and heart condition are denied. A rating in excess of 10 percent for a painful scar on the left knee and a compensable rating for non-painful scars on the left knee is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of an injury to the right-hand ulnar nerve distribution with CTS resulted in moderate incomplete paralysis of the median nerve, warranting a 50% rating. Service connection for cervical radiculopathy was denied as it is not related to his service-connected condition.

The Board dismissed the issue regarding the propriety of reducing ratings for bilateral wrist CTS. The Veteran's right shoulder condition was denied an increased rating, as there is no evidence of limitation of motion to 25 degrees from the side. The Veteran's right ankle DJD was also denied an increased rating due to lack of marked limitation of motion. The Veteran's right wrist CTS was denied increased ratings since April 1, 2014, and November 1, 2014.,The Board found no evidence of marked limitation of motion in the ankle or shoulder that would warrant a higher rating under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for service connection for joint pain of the ankles, knees, lower legs, shoulders, arms, and wrists due to his failure to report for a necessary examination without good cause. The available evidence did not support a conclusion that these conditions were incurred in or related to active service.