Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Board denied the claim for total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) as there is no evidence that the Veteran's service-connected left wrist injury renders him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded several claims due to the need for additional records from Social Security Administration (SSA). The Veteran's claim of entitlement to SSA disability benefits is based on his service-connected conditions, and these records are necessary to properly evaluate his claims.

The Board dismissed all service connection claims for various knee, leg, shoulder, wrist, and back conditions due to exposure to herbicides because the appellant died during the appeal process.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) and extraschedular TDIU, finding that his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's tinea unguium, right eye disability, vertigo, polyarthralgia (fibromyalgia), CFS, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, diabetes mellitus, and liver condition are all granted as service-connected.,Service connection is established for these conditions based on their direct relationship to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's increased disability rating for left wrist degenerative arthritis is denied.,Service connection for other specified trauma and stressor-related disorder is granted.

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his right wrist disability and TDIU have been remanded due to the need for clarification from a private physician regarding ankylosis of the right wrist, as well as further examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected condition. The TDIU claim is also being referred for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's tinnitus is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating authorized under DC 6260. The appeal for a higher initial disability rating for tinnitus must be denied.,The Veteran contends that he has a left leg muscle disability related to his military service and/or secondary to his service-connected varicose veins. Further examination is needed to determine if such condition exists, its etiology, and whether it is caused or aggravated by the service-connected varicose veins.,The Veteran claims entitlement to an initial compensable rating for dry eye syndrome. Additional VA treatment records are required to ascertain the current level of severity of his disability.,The Veteran contends that he has a hemorrhoids condition which should be rated initially as compensable. Outstanding VA treatment records must be obtained and reviewed before scheduling a new examination to determine if such condition exists, its etiology, and whether it is caused or aggravated by any service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran asserts entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. Additional VA treatment records are needed to ascertain the current level of severity of this disability.,The Veteran contends that he has left and right leg varicose veins which should be rated initially as compensable. Outstanding VA treatment records must be obtained and reviewed before scheduling a new examination to determine if such conditions exist, their etiology, and whether they are caused or aggravated by any service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran claims entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected left wrist tendonitis. Additional VA treatment records are needed to ascertain the current level of severity of this disability.,The Veteran contends that he has right wrist tendonitis which should be rated initially as compensable. Outstanding VA treatment records must be obtained and reviewed before scheduling a new examination to determine if such condition exists, its etiology, and whether it is caused or aggravated by any service-connected disabilities.,The Veteran asserts entitlement to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent (prior to December 23, 2017) and in excess of 20 percent (from December 23, 2017) for his degenerative arthritis of the spine and lumbar sprain with spondylosis. Additional VA treatment records are needed to ascertain the current level of severity of this disability.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions and disabilities have been denied. The Board has not assigned a maximum disability rating, which remains before the Board.

The Board denied service connection for both the left hand and left wrist disabilities, finding no evidence of a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board dismissed all claims for earlier effective dates prior to November 23, 1999 as the Veteran died during the appeal process.,No service connection was granted or denied in this decision.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals on service connection claims for COPD, a right wrist condition, bilateral ankle condition, heart condition, and cervical and thoracic spine disability due to his withdrawal of these claims.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for a TDIU as his disabilities are not severe enough to prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's left wrist disability, including lunate and navicular chondromalacia, synovitis, and scars, status post arthroscopy, is being remanded for further development to consider an extraschedular evaluation.

The Board has granted a higher 20 percent rating for left wrist CTS and remanded the issue of an extra-schedular rating for DJD. The claim for a higher rating for DJD remains denied.

The Veteran's left thumb disability and residual scars of the left thumb and wrist have been granted increased ratings, with effective dates prior to November 28, 2014.

The Veteran's initial disability ratings for left wrist disability and left wrist scar have been denied as there is no evidence of ankylosis or other conditions warranting higher ratings, and the current ratings are considered appropriate based on the severity of symptoms.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the Veteran's nerve damage in right arm and right upper torso. The case will be returned for further development, including obtaining additional VA and private treatment records, and for an addendum opinion from a qualified clinician.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient data regarding whether the Veteran's current left hand and wrist neurological condition is related to his active duty training period in March 2011. The issue now requires a determination of whether the Veteran incurred or aggravated a left wrist and hand condition during that period, and if so, whether it is linked to his current disability.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a right wrist disability has been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew her appeal in favor of the AMA framework. The claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss is remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with the October 2018 Board remand.