Wrist & hand decisions — 2024

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for his award of a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) as there was no evidence showing that he was unable to obtain or maintain substantially gainful employment prior to October 22, 2018.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the claims for service connection for Hodgkin's disease and a right wrist disability, which were granted in a June 2021 rating decision.

The Board has found that an earlier effective date of February 25, 2010 is warranted for the award of a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. However, the issue of entitlement to an effective date earlier than February 25, 2010 and on an extraschedular basis is remanded.

The Veteran's headaches (migraines) are found to be due to his military service, and service connection is granted. The Board also remanded the issues of service connection for left foot condition, right foot condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, left wrist condition, left shoulder condition, right shoulder condition, lower back condition, sciatica with numbness (LLE), and sciatica with numbness (RLE).

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for specially adapted housing and special home adaptation grants because her service-connected conditions do not meet the eligibility criteria under VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals from a cyst on the left wrist was denied as there is no persuasive evidence of current disability.,The matter of service connection for flatfoot was dismissed as moot because the RO had not issued an adverse decision prior to the filing of the appeal.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for narcolepsy was denied as there is no evidence of a diagnosed disability.,The issue of service connection for the left wrist disability was dismissed due to an untimely Notice of Disagreement filed in April 2021, which occurred more than one year after the November 2015 rating decision.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right wrist, lower back, right hip, and left hip conditions.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is granted service connection. The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis, pes planus, and hallux valgus are each granted a noncompensable rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for fibromyalgia, cervical spine, thoracolumbar myofascial syndrome, left wrist tendonitis with ganglion cyst and carpal tunnel syndrome, right shoulder rotator cuff tendonitis, and left shoulder disability due to a lack of adequate development.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings on both his scar and ganglion cyst disabilities is being remanded due to the need for additional examinations to assess functional impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation on a schedular basis from April 29, 2020. The Board has granted TDIU effective that date.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral wrist strain, right ankle strain, lumbosacral strain, and right knee strain are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for her left hip condition, limitation of flexion is denied.,The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for her left hip impairment is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors, and additional medical opinions are needed regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome due to insufficient evidence and a need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to a lack of adequate medical examination and opinion regarding her claimed psychiatric disorders, right ankle, bilateral knee, and right wrist disabilities. The Veteran is also being asked to provide additional evidence within 90 days.

The appeal is dismissed due to the appellant's death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is proximately due to his service-connected primary insomnia disorder, right shoulder ac joint and glenohumeral joint degenerative joint disease, degenerative joint and disc disease, lumbosacral spine with compression deformity and degenerative arthritis, left knee retropatellar pain syndrome, right knee retropatellar pain syndrome, s/p left elbow sprain, left middle finger proximal interphalangeal joint dislocation, and right wrist s/p scapholunate ligament tear. As such, the Veteran's claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for arthritis secondary to bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome was denied. The Veteran received a rating of 30 percent for his right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome and 20 percent for his left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome.