Wrist & hand decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right carpal tunnel syndrome have been granted.,However, the claim for an increased rating in excess of 20 percent for irritative radicular symptoms of the right upper extremity has been denied.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral knee disability, left wrist disability, and nephrolithiasis are being remanded due to the need for additional VA opinions regarding her right and left knee disorders. The claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD prior to November 1, 2016, is also being remanded.

The Veteran's right hand and wrist conditions, including tenosynovitis of the fingers and painful limitation of wrist motion, have been granted separate disability ratings effective January 26, 2014.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation during the period from February 1, 2007 to February 22, 2010. Therefore, a TDIU rating on an extraschedular basis is denied.

The Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for service connection of thoracolumbar spine disability, left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, and right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome are denied. The Board found that the correct date of receipt for the request to reopen the claims was January 22, 2018.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for dystonia, left lower extremity, flexion of the left ankle/foot and dystonia, right upper extremity (right hand injury and flexion of the right wrist/finger).

The Board has granted service connection for right wrist strain, left wrist impairment, and right ankle impairment. These conditions are deemed to have started during the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the claims for right and left carpal tunnel syndrome, right parietal arteriovenous malformation with residuals of cognitive dysfunction and seizures, and inguinal hernia due to the need for VA examinations.,The Board also remanded the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (to include PTSD, depression, and/or anxiety) due to the need for a VA examination and verification of a personal assault during service.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The Board found that the Veteran's tinnitus began in service and has continued since then.,Diabetes mellitus is remanded for additional examination and review of private treatment records.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability is remanded for a new examination. The issues of service connection for jaw condition/grinding of the teeth, bilateral wrist condition to include carpal tunnel, bilateral hand pain, bilateral elbow pain, left knee pain, and left shoulder pain are also remanded.

The Veteran's left hand CTS was granted a 20% evaluation from October 29, 2010 to March 29, 2015. The right hand CTS received staged ratings of 30%, but no higher, from May 24, 2016 to the present.

The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic fatigue syndrome, a chronic muscle pain disorder, a chronic joint pain disorder, and fibromyalgia have been denied as there is no evidence of these conditions during his active service or within the applicable presumptive period.,An initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss has also been denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis, back disability, and any psychiatric disorder, to include PTSD. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of medical opinions and additional development is required.

The Veteran's bilateral knee disabilities and carpal tunnel syndrome are rated based on their severity, with the right knee receiving a separate rating for cartilage involvement. The case is remanded due to unresolved issues.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he and his representative requested to withdraw the appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various knee, ankle, foot, and wrist disorders due to inadequate opinions in the February 2021 VA examination reports. The examiner is requested to provide addendum opinions addressing the nature and etiology of these disorders, including their relationship to service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities are not shown to preclude her from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment, and therefore a TDIU is denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right wrist and index finger disabilities have been denied.,Entitlement to an earlier effective date for the right index finger disability has also been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and degenerative joint diseases of various joints, rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board granted the TDIU based on this finding.