Wrist & hand decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to inadequate previous opinions and inextricably intertwined issues. The Veteran's representative raised theories of secondary service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea, migraine headaches, and various musculoskeletal conditions, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation from October 20, 2011, to February 1, 2015.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for chronic right wrist sprain was denied as the evidence did not show ankylosis or functional equivalent of ankylosis, and her symptoms were fully contemplated by the assigned schedular rating.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for PTSD (claimed as depression and anxiety) was denied as the evidence did not reflect total occupational and social impairment.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder disability and remanded the right wrist disability (including carpal tunnel syndrome) due to new evidence provided by the Veteran.

The Veteran's back disability, diagnosed as ankylosing spondylitis, is granted service connection based on continuity of symptoms since service.,Service connection for right shoulder and right wrist disabilities are granted due to in-service injury and post-service complaints.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia, right upper extremity cervical radiculopathy (claimed as bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome), and left upper extremity cervical radiculopathy (claimed as bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome) have been granted. These conditions are secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for neck, back, hernia, and carpal tunnel syndrome (left and right hands) due to incomplete records and lack of contemporaneous medical evidence. The AOJ is directed to obtain all relevant records, including service personnel records, and schedule a VA examination to determine if these conditions are related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's PTSD with depression is granted effective June 22, 2010. The appeal for tinnitus and the scar post-surgery associated with right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome are denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of left shoulder, cervical spine, and left wrist disabilities have been remanded due to the need for further development. The claim for a temporary total rating following June 2016 surgery on her service-connected left elbow disability has also been referred back to the AOJ.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence added since the last rating decision. The SSOC must be issued after consideration of this new evidence.

The Veteran's right upper extremity ulnar nerve disability is granted with a rating of 30 percent, effective upon issuance of the decision.

The Board has granted service connection for a right wrist disorder and a lumbar spine disorder. The Veteran's asthma is also granted on the basis of presumptive exposure to burn pits under the PACT Act.,Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The reduction in the rating assigned for hypothyroidism, degenerative arthritis of the right shoulder with rotator cuff tear, and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine were granted. TDIU based on service-connected disabilities other than hypothyroidism was granted effective from February 23, 2015 to September 19, 2019, and special monthly compensation based on housebound status was granted effective February 23, 2015.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for acquired psychiatric disorders, TMJ, and various musculoskeletal conditions have been denied. The effective dates for the grants of service connection for these conditions are also denied.,Additionally, the Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus has been denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right wrist, right knee, and right ankle disabilities due to a lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board has determined that there have been substantial compliance issues with the previous remand directives and thus, the appeal is being returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's hypertension has been granted service connection.,Service connection for back disability, right wrist disability, left ankle disability, and headaches have all been granted.,A compensable rating of 10 percent is assigned for the Veteran's right hand little finger disability.,An initial rating higher than 20 percent for right shoulder disability has not been granted.,An increased 20 percent rating but not higher for left knee internal derangement has been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate opinions regarding the Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and its relationship to her service-connected back disability. Further development is needed.

The Board has denied service connection for various hand, wrist, elbow, cervical spine, and knee conditions due to a lack of evidence showing their onset during active service or being related to an in-service injury, event, disease, or secondary to a service-connected disability.

The Board denied service connection for a left wrist condition, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and vasectomy residuals due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,There is no credible evidence showing that the Veteran's current left wrist condition, OSA, or vasectomy residuals are related to his military service.