Wrist & hand decisions — 2024

The Veteran's left chest cyst, right wrist cysts, and left wrist cysts are each granted a separate initial disability rating of 10 percent prior to November 27, 2017.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities alone did not result in unemployability during the period on appeal, as he was able to maintain marginal employment.

The Board has determined that the claim for payment of non-VA care on April 5, 2020 should be remanded due to errors in notification and review process. The appeal will now consider whether the claim should have been reviewed under section 1703 or 1728.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of blepharotomy residuals and carpal tunnel syndrome bilaterally has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew his appeal through his authorized representative.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, back, and shoulder disorders. The wrist and right knee disorder claims are remanded due to a failure to provide a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various knee and elbow disabilities, as well as bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The AOJ is required to obtain VA medical opinions regarding the severity of the left knee disability and the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral Dupuytren's Contracture.

The Board has denied service connection for prostate cancer, arthritis of the spine, arthritis of the right wrist, and residuals of right hip replacement as there is no evidence linking these conditions to active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and carpal tunnel syndrome due to a lack of VA medical examinations addressing whether these conditions are related to service or secondary to his service-connected PTSD.

The Board has dismissed all claims as the Veteran died during the appeal process and no eligible parties have been substituted in the appeal.

The Veteran's right wrist condition is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted for any period of time.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is rated at 60 percent, effective from the date of this decision. The Veteran also has service-connected tinnitus and other conditions that do not meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Veteran's appeal was dismissed because the issues were already pending in the Legacy system and the June 2021 rating decision is not an initial decision for the purposes of applying the AMA.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a left wrist condition was dismissed as the claim has since been granted after the July 2020 rating decision.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including back, lower extremities, shoulder, ankle, wrist, and knee conditions, have caused him to be in need of regular aid and attendance. The Board has granted SMC based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU prior to September 12, 2017 is being remanded due to the need for referral to the Director of Compensation Service under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b) based on evidence indicating she has been unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since at least April 24, 2013.

The Board denied service connection for a left third metacarpal fracture and the readjudication of service connection for a left wrist disability, finding no new and relevant evidence to support either claim.

The Veteran's cause of death was not service-connected, and the criteria for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation under section 1318 were also not met.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's left hand condition and its relationship to service, specifically an in-service injury and a current chest pain diagnosis.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to sustain gainful employment effective June 1, 2009. The Board finds that the criteria for TDIU are met and grants the claim.