Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's current right wrist disabilities are related to his service, particularly the MVA in November 1991. The case will be reviewed with an addendum opinion from a clinician.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable, and he is not entitled to compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for heart disease due to VA treatment.

The Board denied an initial compensable disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected right wrist scar, finding that there was no evidence of painful or unstable scarring. The Veteran's pain and limitation of motion were attributed to other conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome and arthritis.

The Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for chest scars prior to October 25, 2018, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter is dismissed.,New and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claim of residuals of a right arm fracture. The petition to reopen is denied.,Service connection for PTSD is granted.,Service connection for thoracolumbar spine disability is granted.,Service connection for a right wrist disability is denied.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for SMC based on need for aid and attendance or housebound status, as well as increased compensation by reason of his spouse needing aid and attendance. The case is remanded for further development regarding an earlier effective date for special monthly pension.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for further examination. The issues are related to arthritis and chronic body pain in various joints, but the appeal is not about service connection via a presumption like PACT Act or Agent Orange.

The Board denied higher initial disability ratings for various conditions, including right knee chondromalacia patella, right shoulder disorder, right wrist disorder, left ankle disorder, obstructive sleep apnea, bladder cancer, ulcerative colitis, Bell's palsy, stroke residuals, hair loss, and skin disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including peripheral neuropathy of the right upper extremity, carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity, and right wrist disability, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, cervical dysplasia, breast reduction surgery and its residuals, low back condition, and right shoulder condition.,Service connection was not granted for any of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's stomach disorder, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), left elbow disorder, right elbow disorder, left shoulder disorder, and right shoulder disorder are remanded for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee disability, back disability, and right wrist disability due to a lack of credible evidence showing an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a right wrist disability, finding that the Veteran's pre-existing condition clearly and unmistakably existed before service and was not aggravated by service.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether her current right shoulder and arm conditions are caused or aggravated by her service-connected right ankle disability. The case will be returned for further examination and opinion.

The Board has determined that the VA examinations and remand directives were not complied with, necessitating another examination for each of the service connection claims.,The Veteran's right knee disability is being examined to determine if it is related to his in-service fall and motor vehicle accident. The examiner will also consider the Veteran’s lay statements regarding these events.

The Board has remanded the claims for a right hand disability and a right wrist disability due to insufficient examination opinions addressing potential service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected status post carpal tunnel release with median nerve neuropathy, left wrist was rated at 20 percent prior to May 30, 2018 and increased to 40 percent thereafter. The decision is granted for the period after May 30, 2018.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete medical records from Dr. M-Q and Dr. G.S., which are necessary to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected right wrist scar has been dismissed as the Veteran did not file a timely substantive appeal.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to a failure to provide adequate pre-decisional duty to assist. The issues include gastroesophageal reflux disease, thoracolumbar spine disability, left shoulder disability, left wrist disability (carpal tunnel syndrome), left knee disability, right knee disability, and right elbow disability.

The Veteran's left wrist fracture with status post-operative residuals and degenerative arthritis is currently rated at 20 percent, while his left wrist paresis associated with the same condition is rated at 20 percent. The Veteran's left shoulder labral tear, including superior labral anterior-posterior lesion and arthritis, is rated at 30 percent. All three conditions are denied for higher ratings.