Wrist & hand decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral cataracts and left hand/wrist injury due to insufficient compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran's service connection claims are being reviewed again as there is not substantial evidence of record to adjudicate these issues.

The Board has remanded two issues related to the Veteran's neck and left wrist disabilities, which are secondary to his service-connected left knee disability. The remand is due to insufficient opinions regarding secondary service connection and a need for updated medical records.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right knee and right wrist conditions have been denied due to failure to appear at scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions did not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU prior to May 8, 2019. From May 8, 2019 to May 31, 2022, his combined rating was 40%, which does not meet the schedular requirements for a TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient VA opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right wrist disability. The Veteran is seeking service connection for his right wrist condition, which he claims was caused by repetitive use during military service and overuse as compensation for a pre-existing left wrist disability.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his authorized representative, and the Board is dismissing all issues on appeal.

The Veteran's right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is remanded for further examination.

The Board has determined that the reduction from 40 to 30 percent for right wrist laceration of the ulnar nerve with distal sensory and motor loss was improper, and has restored a 40 percent rating effective January 1, 2019. The Veteran's claim for an evaluation higher than 40 percent for his right wrist disability is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his right wrist condition, left knee condition, and low back strain due to inadequate examinations and need for further diagnostic testing.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance or on housebound status is being remanded due to insufficient evidence of her current service-connected disabilities' severity. The Board also requests additional VA examinations to determine if her service-connected conditions solely result in her need for aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the claims due to an error in a previous VA medical opinion and needs additional clarification on whether the Veteran's claimed conditions are aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left hip disorder, right hip disorder, left wrist CTS, right wrist CTS, and left heel disorder.

The Board denied increased ratings for right wrist scapholunate disassociation, spondylosis of the thoracolumbar spine junction with strain and degenerative arthritis, left shoulder strain, radiculopathy in the right lower extremity, and radiculopathy in the left lower extremity.

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating for individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to July 21, 2021 was denied as he did not meet the schedular requirements and there is no evidence that his service-connected disabilities precluded him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the Veteran and his representative have withdrawn their appeal.

The Board has granted service connection for a right wrist disorder and remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral foot disorders.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right wrist pain, right shin pain, and left shin pain due to a lack of evidence showing current disabilities.,The Board also remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right ankle strain (claimed as right ankle pain) and right knee osteoarthritis (claimed as right knee pain), as there is insufficient medical evidence to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has denied service connection for the claimed conditions as they are not shown to be causally or etiologically related any disease or injury during a period of active duty, active duty for training (ACDUTRA), or inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA).

The Veteran's claim for service connection for varicose veins was denied as her current condition is less likely than not related to her in-service symptoms.,Her right wrist disability was also denied, with the highest rating of 10 percent being granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board has remanded several issues, including those related to the Veteran's back, neck, sinusitis, asthma, bronchitis, arthritis, joint pain, right ankle, feet, knees, right wrist, elbows, shoulders, hips, and bilateral foot disabilities.