Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude her from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, thus the claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left wrist fracture, finding that the condition clearly and unmistakably preexisted service and was not aggravated by service.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and evaluation, specifically regarding the Veteran's lumbar spine disability. The issues include determining if a compensable rating is warranted for each of his service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for unspecified disability, carpal tunnel syndrome (claimed as bilateral hand neuropathy), and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's claims are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for additional development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his left wrist disability and to be eligible for TDIU on an extraschedular basis. The case is being remanded for further review.

The Board has granted a higher initial 30 percent rating for the Veteran's service-connected left wrist disability, including lunate and navicular chondromalacia, synovitis, and scars, status post arthroscopy.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a left thumb condition, left wrist condition, head injury or residuals thereof, high protein in urine, and skin rash have all been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions.,There are no indications that the Veteran has any present disabilities related to his active duty service.

The claims for service connection for various conditions, including POTS, headaches, SVT, fatigue, joint pain/arthralgia, fibromyalgia, orthostatic intolerance, and chest pain have been denied as new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims.

The Board has ordered a new examination to determine if the Veteran's current left wrist disability is at least as likely as not related to his service, considering his reported history of continuous symptoms since separation from active duty.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation consistent with his education and work history, warranting a TDIU on an extra-schedular basis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence and testimony presented during her hearing. The issues of left ear hearing loss, tinnitus, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, low back disability, and carpal tunnel syndrome (bilateral upper extremities) are being addressed on the merits.

The Board has granted a rating of 20 percent for the Veteran's scars associated with his left wrist injury, finding that three painful scars meet the criteria under DC 7804. The Veteran already receives a separate rating for sensory loss in his left hand.

The Veteran's left index finger tendonitis, left palm Dupuytren's Contracture, and left wrist tendonitis have been granted a 10% rating throughout the appeal period.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is rated at 10 percent, and his left ankle disability is granted an initial rating of 20 percent effective December 18, 2014 (exclusive of the period for which a temporary total rating was assigned).

The Board has ordered a new examination to determine the current severity and all manifestations of the Veteran's left wrist condition, including SLAC and arthritis diagnoses. The examiner must also address whether these conditions represent separate disabilities from carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent her from maintaining gainful employment with respect to the period on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for right and left hand carpal tunnel syndrome were denied as his symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's depressive disorder is granted as secondary to service-connected disabilities. The carpal tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity, including secondary to residuals of surgery for De Quervain’s Syndrome of the right upper extremity, is denied. The ratings for radiculopathy of both lower extremities are denied. A TDIU prior to September 20, 2019, is granted.

The Veteran's scar on the left wrist is granted a 10 percent evaluation. The issues of an increased rating for sleep apnea with bronchial asthma and service connection for tenosynovitis right hand are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for obstructive sleep apnea is granted. The claims for residuals of a low back injury and right wrist injury are remanded.