Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to June 14, 2010, finding that her service-connected disabilities did not prevent her from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, left wrist condition, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, and headache condition due to inadequate medical opinions. The VA examiner is requested to address the Veteran's lay testimony of having experienced symptoms in service and since service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right wrist, ankle, knee, hip, left knee, back, sciatica, and psychiatric disorders are all denied as there is no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including carpal tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, testicular mass, allergic rhinitis, and TMJ disorder with teeth grinding, are being remanded for further evaluation due to recent complaints from the Veteran.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for pes planus and right wrist degenerative arthritis, finding that there is no evidence of a direct relationship to service.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and to obtain medical opinions regarding the Veteran's service connection claims for residuals of a right wrist fracture and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to insufficient examination findings and conflicting diagnoses. The Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis is being evaluated as secondary to his service-connected back and right wrist degenerative arthritis.

The Board has found that the VA examination and addendum opinion were incomplete, as they did not consider the Veteran's diagnosis of early osteoarthritis of the right wrist. The case is being remanded for another addendum medical opinion to determine the nature and etiology of any diagnosed right wrist conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected left wrist disability does not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's tinnitus, right hand (wrist) joint pain, and migraines have been granted service connection.,Service connection has also been granted for the Veteran's mental disorder claimed as PTSD, depression, and insomnia.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development regarding his right hand disability, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and acquired psychiatric disorder claims. The Board requests addendum opinions to address the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for coronary artery disease, respiratory condition, diabetes mellitus type II, acquired psychiatric disorder, right hand condition, right wrist condition, and bilateral foot conditions due to inadequate VA examinations and missing service treatment records.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right wrist disability, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes mellitus, type II due to service exposure in Korea. The claims are being returned for additional development.

The Board has dismissed all claims related to the Veteran's service connection requests, as well as his request for a compensable evaluation for tinea versicolor. The appeals are dismissed due to the Veteran's death.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues regarding notice and potential aggravation of carpal tunnel syndrome by service-connected conditions.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for the ratings and service connection issues related to his ankle, foot, wrist, and left foot conditions.

The Board denied service connection for lumbar degenerative disc disease, left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, and right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome as there was no evidence of a link to service.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as cervical spine disability. The cervical spine disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset during service.

The Board has found that there has not been substantial compliance with the remand requests and has therefore remanded both issues of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for a left wrist disability and entitlement to TDIU due to service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right wrist tendonitis is rated at 50 percent, but no higher. The Board found that the Veteran has functional ankylosis with ulnar deviation in his right wrist, warranting a 50 percent rating under DC 5214. For TDIU determination, as the Veteran does not meet the schedular threshold for a combined rating of at least 60 percent due to noncompensable ratings for other service-connected disabilities, and there is no evidence of unemployability solely due to his service-connected conditions, the claim for TDIU was denied.