Wrist & hand decisions — 2024

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that new and relevant evidence was not submitted to warrant readjudication.

The Veteran's left wrist disability is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board found that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of ankylosis and functional impairment. The appeal was denied.

Service connection for allergic rhinitis is granted due to presumed exposure to burn pits. Service connection for right and left ear hearing loss, chronic fatigue syndrome, irritable bowel syndrome, bilateral upper extremity neuropathy, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, skin rash (claimed as a skin disorder), bilateral hand disorder, bilateral hip disorder, bilateral leg disorder, neck disorder (cervicalgia), chronic pain disorder, upper respiratory infection, and bronchitis is denied due to lack of evidence of current disability or service connection.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for right wrist tenosynovitis has been denied as no new and relevant evidence was submitted.,The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for bilateral foot disability, to include plantar fasciitis, have been granted due to the submission of new and relevant evidence. The AOJ will remand this claim for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of her disability.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been granted as she submitted new and relevant evidence.

The Veteran's GERD, low back pain, right wrist pain, and sleeping disorder are remanded for further development due to service connection issues.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to a lack of VA examinations and incomplete military records. The effective date for the award of a 40 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss is granted as December 17, 2018.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to consider the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and obtain necessary medical records. The claim will be reconsidered under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1728.

The Veteran's right hip limitation of extension is rated as noncompensable, and the right wrist scar associated with ganglion cyst excision is also rated as noncompensable.,An earlier effective date for service connection of both conditions was granted.

The Veteran's right hand condition is related to his duties as a rifle rotating demonstrator in the service, and he has been diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome. The Board finds that a VA examination and medical opinion are needed for this issue.,The Veteran's right shoulder condition is related to his duties as part of the silent drill platoon where he was required to use a lot of his upper body for rifle maneuvers. A VA examination and medical opinion are needed for this issue.,The Veteran maintains that he has an acquired psychiatric disorder, major depression, which is related to his military service or physical health problems. The Board finds that a VA examination and medical opinion are needed for this issue.,The Veteran contends that he is entitled to a higher rating than the currently assigned noncompensable rating for limitation of extension of his right elbow condition (right lateral epicondylitis with tricep tendinitis). A retrospective VA examination and medical opinion are needed for this issue.

The Board has granted entitlement to special monthly compensation (SMC) based on housebound status due to the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss and additional disabilities that combine to at least 60 percent disabling. However, SMC based on aid and attendance is denied as there is no evidence of actual requirements for personal assistance from others.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, and the rating of 10 percent has been assigned.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied across multiple conditions, including lumbosacral strain, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, tension headaches, acne, sleep disorder, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), right wrist disorder, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, neurological disorders affecting the lower extremities, and foot disorders. The Board found that none of these conditions warranted a higher rating or service connection.

The Veteran's left shoulder condition claim is dismissed as the AOJ did not readjudicate it.,The Veteran does not have current diagnoses of sciatica, right carpal tunnel syndrome, or left carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's right foot plantar fasciitis is currently rated at 10 percent, but the evidence does not support a higher rating.,The Veteran's left wrist sprain and left shoulder strain are both rated at 20 percent. The evidence does not support an increase in these ratings.

The Veteran's mood disorder with depressive features is granted a 100% rating effective October 2, 2019. Basic eligibility for Dependent's Educational Assistance (DEA) is also granted effective that date. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a bilateral wrist disability secondary to hepatitis C, a rating in excess of 20 percent for hepatitis C, and TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for left eye, CTS of the left wrist, bilateral hip osteoarthritis, and bilateral knee degenerative arthritis are being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has determined that the discontinuance of SMC at the housebound rate was improper and has revised the effective date to October 1, 2022. The Veteran's entitlement to SMC benefits is now correct as of this date.

The Board has denied service connection for left and right knee disorders, as well as service connection for a left shoulder disorder and a left wrist disorder. The claims are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and remanded the issues of service connection for a recurrent right wrist disability, increased ratings for right ganglion cyst excision scar residuals, and ulcerative colitis.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to properly consider the Appellant's claim under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1728 and for obtaining treatment records related to the Veteran's April 7, 2020, care.