Wrist & hand decisions — 2023

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) from February 1, 2006 due to his service-connected psychiatric disorder. He is also granted special monthly compensation at the housebound rate.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including unspecified depressive disorder and right shoulder strain, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since May 26, 2016. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual employability from this date.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the right wrist. The issue of service connection for bilateral pes planus is remanded due to insufficient medical opinion and need for additional development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to procedural errors in the initial review of his appeal.

The Board has determined that the appeal is not ready for final decision and has been remanded to allow for additional evidence to be reviewed by the RO.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hand, wrist, and right shoulder disabilities due to previous inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions as secondary to his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has vacated the January 2021 decision, finding that the Veteran was denied due process of law. The claims for service connection for bilateral congenital arm and wrist deformity disorder and acquired psychiatric disorder are granted.

The Board has granted service connection for left hip trochanteric pain syndrome and iliopsoas tendonitis, right hip trochanteric pain syndrome and iliopsoas tendonitis, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and right hand tendonitis. Service connection is denied for a left wrist disability and a left hand disability.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, chloracne, carpal tunnel syndromes, peripheral neuropathies, right wrist fracture, tinnitus, and coronary artery disease, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to June 19, 2023. Effective from June 19, 2023, the Veteran is in receipt of a combined schedular rating of 100 percent for his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disorders, including back, right shoulder, left wrist, right knee, and ankle issues. The reasons include a lack of continuity of symptoms post-service and incomplete medical records.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for migraine headaches, bilateral carpal tunnel syndromes of the upper extremities, and a sleep disorder have been dismissed as they are not eligible for review under the AMA system.

The Veteran's right wrist fracture with CRPS is rated at 50% effective from the date of his increased rating claim, and he is granted a separate rating for each affected finger. SMC for loss of use of the right hand is denied.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for right elbow, wrist, and wrist scar disabilities due to inadequate examination opinions. The claims will be reviewed again with new examinations considering the Veteran's lay statements about his in-service injuries and current symptoms.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for bowel incontinence associated with thoracic scoliosis. The right lower extremity sciatic radiculopathy and left and right carpal tunnel syndrome issues are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's low back pain, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis of the spine, is granted service connection. Service connection for right hand carpal tunnel syndrome is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for further evaluation and determination of his service-connected conditions, including PTSD with depression and insomnia, degenerative arthritis of the spine, bilateral pes planus, left knee disorder, neck disorder, neurological disorder, diabetes mellitus type 2, and eye/vision disorder.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates are remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining his service personnel records and medical treatment records from USNH Great Lakes.

The Board has determined that new examinations are needed due to the inadequacy of previous VA examination reports and the Veteran's testimony indicating his left knee and wrist disabilities have worsened since last examined in 2019 and 2017, respectively. The claims for higher ratings will be remanded.

The Board denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbosacral spine and left carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that the Veteran's conditions were not related to his military service.