Wrist & hand decisions — 2024

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, finding that there was no persuasive evidence showing he needed regular aid and assistance from another person or was housebound as a result of his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied service connection for left wrist, right wrist, left ankle, right ankle, left elbow, right elbow, left hip, and right hip conditions. The Veteran did not provide sufficient evidence to establish a current disability or link these conditions to his military service.,Service connection was also denied for bilateral hearing loss.

The Board has granted a 30 percent evaluation for the Veteran's status post left carpal tunnel release, finding that his symptoms of moderate incomplete paralysis warrant this rating.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and medical opinions, requiring a new examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service connection claims for migraine headaches, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, right wrist disability, cervical spine disability, and low back disability have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not show any current disabilities related to these conditions during his qualifying periods of active duty.,There is no credible evidence showing that the Veteran experienced any injuries or diseases related to these conditions during his service in the North Carolina National Guard.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been remanded due to the need for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling examinations. The Veteran is not entitled to service connection or increased ratings for various conditions.

The appeal for sleep apnea and increased rating for left ulnar nerve neuropathy has been dismissed.,The right wrist disability, cervical spine disability, and GERD (hiatal hernia) claims have been reopened and are being remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his ruptured cecal diverticulum and other conditions, have rendered him unemployable. The Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied from November 27, 2012 due to his full-time employment at VA and the Department of the Navy. Despite having a combined disability rating of 80%, he maintained substantial gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for GERD, left shoulder disorder, low back disorder, bilateral foot disorder, and carpal tunnel syndrome due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The claims are being returned for further development.

The Board has granted service connection for depressive disorder secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right shoulder traumatic arthritis, right wrist traumatic arthritis, and right ankle traumatic arthritis. The decision finds that the Veteran's depressive disorder is caused or aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted a temporary total evaluation for treatment of service-connected right wrist degenerative joint disease requiring convalescence until January 31, 2019.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome due to new evidence of worsening symptoms and a need for updated VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of her medical records.,The Veteran's right little finger healed fracture disability is also being remanded for further examination and development.,Service connection for right foot synovitis due to Still's Disease, left wrist CTS, and a right knee disability are all being remanded. The Veteran claims these conditions were caused by exposure to environmental agents at FTMC or secondary to her service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, major depressive disorder, and anxiety, is also being remanded for further examination and development of her medical records.,Service connection for a right knee disability is being remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding when the Veteran's right knee problems started.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD with MST, major depressive disorder, and anxiety, is being remanded. The Veteran claims these conditions were caused by in-service personal assault.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder, elbow, wrist, and low back disabilities due to inadequate opinions in previous VA examinations.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the schedular criteria for a TDIU, and there are no exceptional circumstances warranting extraschedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for low back disability and bilateral wrist disability due to inadequate VA examinations in June 2022. The cases are now pending further review.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and TDIU prior to February 14, 2018 have been dismissed because the Veteran has withdrawn his appeal from the 'legacy' system and not yet perfected an appeal in the modernized (AMA) system.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral wrist disabilities, cervical spine disability, and left shoulder disability due to an undiagnosed illness. The reasons include a lack of in-service evidence and the need for addendum medical opinions considering the Veteran's allegations of rigorous activity during service.

The Board has determined that there are outstanding records and needs to obtain them for proper evaluation of the Veteran's claims. The issues include determining appropriate ratings, establishing service connection, and increasing the rating for Meniere's syndrome.