Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and left wrist shell fragment wound, resulted from a common etiology of combat injuries. His combined disability rating is 60%, meeting the schedular threshold for a TDIU. However, he is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate VA examinations for service connection claims related to bilateral big toe, knee, ankle disorders and right carpal tunnel syndrome. The Veteran is required to undergo new VA examinations to determine if these conditions are related to her military service.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for right hand and wrist numbness, left hand and wrist numbness, and loss of use of both hands as the Veteran's conditions were not caused by VA care or treatment.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for left carpal tunnel syndrome, intestinal disorder (colitis and diverticulitis), esophageal disorder (hiatal hernia), sinusitis, and left epididymitis claimed as secondary to a service-connected appendectomy due to deficiencies in medical opinions provided by VA.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and entitlement to service connection has been granted for a back disorder. The remaining issues of right wrist and ankle disorders are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection of an acquired psychiatric disorder, adjustment disorder is dismissed as it was granted in a previous decision. The issue of a higher rating for the left wrist condition and carpal tunnel syndrome is remanded.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to make an informed decision on the Veteran's claims, including obtaining outstanding medical records and VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his left wrist and forearm conditions was granted. He received a 20 percent rating for the left wrist condition, effective from September 26, 2008. The claim for a higher rating for the olecranon spur in the left forearm was denied.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for an increased rating for a left wrist disability and left wrist scars due to incomplete compliance with previous remands. The Veteran needs another VA examination to determine if numbness is part of his service-connected disabilities or a separate condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right wrist and forearm disabilities due to incomplete medical opinions regarding repetitive-use testing, functional equivalent of ankylosis, and the ameliorative effects of medication.

The Board has remanded the issues of entitlement to initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for right wrist, left knee, and jaw spasms disabilities due to outstanding VA treatment records and need for updated examinations.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of left carpal tunnel syndrome, right flat foot, and a left knee condition. The claim for reopening service connection for back/thoracic spine condition due to secondary service-connected cervical spine disability is remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the cases of right hand carpal tunnel syndrome and PTSD for further examination and evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the onset and relationship of his right wrist disability and skin condition to his military service, particularly regarding exposure to environmental hazards in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's claim for an extension of the temporary total evaluation for convalescence due to partial revision left knee surgery beyond October 31, 2017 is denied.,The Veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 30 percent for his left and right knee disabilities are denied.,The Veteran's claim for a separate 10 percent rating for instability of the right knee from May 11, 2016 is granted.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with lumbosacral strain and spinal stenosis is denied.,The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for radiculopathy of the left lower extremity is denied.,The Veteran's claim for SMC based on housebound status, for periods other than September 12, 2017, to November 1, 2017, is denied.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain is granted a 40 percent rating from March 4, 2009 to November 24, 2019. The claims for service connection of vision problems, joint pain in bilateral wrists and hands, and stomach condition (gastric ulcer) are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to address issues and VA representative withdrawal. The Veteran's cervical spine strain, left knee disability, right knee disability, right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral pes planus, and vitamin D deficiency are all being reviewed.

The Board has determined that additional VA examinations are needed to evaluate the Veteran's service-connected cervical spine, left and right shoulder, left and right wrist, sinusitis, colon polyp, and skin disabilities due to their recent onset or lack of treatment records. The Veteran is also required to undergo an examination for his claimed low back disorder and bilateral hearing loss/tinnitus.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right hand (wrist injury) has been reopened and granted. The claims for left shin splint, left knee condition, and right shin splints are remanded for further examination and determination.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for further development, including a VA examination to assess the collective impact of her service-connected disabilities on her ability to work.