Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for a total disability rating due to individual unemployability (TDIU) was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the percentage requirements for a schedular TDIU, and there is no evidence of an extraschedular TDIU.

The Board denied service connection for a right wrist disability and a sleep disorder, finding that the current conditions are not related to service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection of a left wrist condition, finding that there is no causal relationship between his current condition and his in-service injury. The preponderance of evidence shows that the Veteran's left wrist condition resolved after initial treatment in July 2010.

The Veteran's claim for a compensable rating for her service-connected right wrist ganglion cyst and residual scar was denied. The Board found that the current level of disability does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that there was no evidence to support a secondary relationship between his service-connected cervical spine disability and CTS.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on several service-connected conditions have been withdrawn. The appeal for a higher rating for PTSD has been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, bilateral upper and lower radiculopathy, cervical spine arthritis, tinnitus, and right wrist disability, negatively impact his employability. The Board has remanded to further develop information about his past employment history.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development regarding the Veteran's right hallux valgus with hammer toe, left hallux valgus with hammer toe, tinea unguium, and residuals of a right wrist fracture.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and increased rating for arthritis of the right wrist were denied. The effective date for service connection was set at February 22, 2020, as this is when the medical evidence first showed the Veteran meeting the auditory threshold requirements for compensation purposes.

The Board found that the Veteran's right hand, wrist and fingers disability did not begin during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for a right knee condition and bilateral carpal tunnel due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome and right wrist degenerative arthritis have been rated, but the Board has determined that higher ratings are not warranted for these conditions. A separate 10 percent rating is granted for mild ulnar neuropathy.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for frozen right shoulder and left wrist injury with loss of use of hand due to inadequate opinions in the original VA examination reports.,Compensation under 38 U.S.C. §1151 for frozen left elbow, left wrist injury with loss of use of left hand and fingers has been denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including her lumbosacral strain, right ankle, left lower radiculopathy and right wrist conditions, are considered one disability with a combined rating of 60 percent. The Board finds that the functional impairment associated with these disabilities precludes the Veteran from securing substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for right wrist arthritis and neuropathy is denied. The rating for right wrist arthritis remains at 10 percent, while the initial compensable rating for right wrist neuropathy prior to January 6, 2015, is denied. A higher rating for right wrist neuropathy since January 6, 2015, is also denied.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and wrist disabilities have been denied as there is no evidence of a direct in-service injury or disease, and the current conditions are not proximately caused by or aggravated by service-connected cervical spine disability.

The Veteran's left wrist disability is rated at 10 percent, and the appeal for a higher rating has been denied.,PTSD was initially rated at 30 percent prior to January 21, 2020, and this rating has also been denied. The TBI was also rated at 10 percent prior to January 21, 2020, and the appeal for a higher rating on this issue is also denied.,The Veteran's claim for Total Disability due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU) has been remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for osteoarthritis of the right knee, rotator cuff tear of the right shoulder, right hand and wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, and left hand and wrist carpal tunnel syndrome. The disabilities are considered to be directly related to the Veteran's active service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right shoulder disability, and both upper extremity carpal tunnel syndromes as the evidence did not establish a link to active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that there was no evidence linking his current condition to service or any incident in service, including asbestos exposure. The Board found that the Veteran’s CTS is more likely related to post-service work as a mechanic.