Wrist & hand decisions — 2023

The appeal with respect to the issue of entitlement to service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is dismissed.,Entitlement to service connection for a lung disability is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for chronic open angle glaucoma and nuclear sclerotic cataracts is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability (claimed as skeletal arthritis) is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for a bilateral elbow disability (claimed as skeletal arthritis) is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for a bilateral wrist disability (claimed as skeletal arthritis) is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for a bilateral hip disability (claimed as skeletal arthritis) is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for a spine disability (claimed as skeletal arthritis) is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for a bilateral knee disability (claimed as skeletal arthritis) is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for diabetes mellitus type II is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for hypertension due to service or service-connected disease or injury is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for a heart disability due to service or service-connected disease or injury is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for erectile dysfunction due to service or service-connected disease or injury is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for bilateral upper extremity peripheral neuropathy due to service or service-connected disease or injury is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to service or service-connected disease or injury is denied.,Entitlement to service connection for RBD is denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right knee patellar instability and other orthopedic conditions, have rendered her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted the TDIU claim based on these service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left wrist disability, attributed to ankylosing spondylitis, is granted as service-connected due to its onset within one year of his separation from active duty and the presence of compensable symptoms.

The Board has remanded the cases for obtaining the Veteran's service treatment records (STRs) and conducting a VA examination. The STRs were not obtained as directed in the January 2023 remand, despite previous attempts.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection for right wrist and thoracolumbar spine disorders due to in-service injuries. The issues are being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for ear disorder (dizziness, vertigo), bilateral shoulder disability, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome due to incomplete compliance with previous remands.

The appeal as to service connection for sleep disturbance and anxiety disorder is dismissed.,The appeals as to the remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the cases for additional medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's bilateral shoulder and wrist disabilities are caused or aggravated by his service-connected neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for higher evaluations for various wrist, ankle, shoulder, and knee disabilities due to inadequate VA examinations conducted in January 2020.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disorder, bilateral ankle disorders, right wrist disorder, arthritis of the hands, and bilateral leg disorders have been granted. The remaining issues are being remanded for further review.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, bowel and gastrointestinal conditions, hepatitis C in remission, sinusitis, allergies (allergic rhinitis), skin disability (eczema, dermatitis, or lichen planus), unspecified joint pains, generalized degenerative arthritis, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, back disability, right lower extremity disability, left lower extremity disability, right knee arthritis, left knee arthritis, left wrist disability, and finger condition for further development.

The Board has granted reopening of service connection for right foot pes planus and left foot pes planus, finding that the pre-existing conditions increased in severity during service. Service connection is also granted for back disability (arthritis), right wrist arthritis, left wrist arthritis, right ankle arthritis, left ankle arthritis, tinnitus, and bilateral ear hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU have been REMANDED due to the need for additional examinations.,New evidence has not been received to reopen his service connection claims for right and left wrist disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndromes have been granted increased ratings of 40 percent for the left hand and 50 percent for the right hand, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's claims for joint pain, peripheral neuropathy, migrainous vertigo, and ulcerative proctitis have been reopened. Service connection has been granted for low back, neck, bilateral knee, left upper extremity radiculopathy, right upper extremity radiculopathy, left lower extremity radiculopathy, right lower extremity radiculopathy, migraines, and ulcerative proctitis.,The Veteran's elbow and wrist conditions, neuropathy, and dizziness/vertigo have not been evaluated yet. Further examination is required to determine the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, Spinal Cord Injury, Left Thigh Atrophy, Left Calf Atrophy, Left Wrist Injury, and Left Middle and Ring Fingers Fracture Residuals, prevented him from maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board granted a TDIU effective April 29, 2020.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for generalized joint disability, including right knee arthritis, bilateral plantar fasciitis, bilateral elbow condylitis, bilateral shoulder impingement syndrome, and left wrist Quervain's syndrome. The decision found that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for a Decision Review Officer (DRO) hearing and because some of the issues have new and material evidence.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals for a higher rating for PTSD and for a compensable rating for a wrist scar. The appeal was withdrawn by the Veteran before any decision could be made.

The Veteran's tinnitus began during service and has continued since then.,The Veteran contends his left wrist disorder is related to active duty. The VA examiner opined the condition was not caused by or a result of his military service.,The Veteran contends his right wrist disorder is related to active duty. The VA examiner opined the condition was not caused by or a result of his military service.,The Veteran contends his thoracolumbar disorder is related to active duty. The VA examiner opined the condition was not caused by or a result of his military service.,The Veteran contends his right shoulder disorder is related to active duty. The VA examiner opined the condition was not caused by or a result of his military service.,The Veteran contends his TMJ disorder is related to active duty. The VA examiner opined the condition was not caused by or a result of his military service.