Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's request to restore a 10 percent disability rating for post-operative residuals, surgery, repair of ligaments right thumb and granted a 10 percent rating under 38 C.F.R. § 3.324 based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities that interfere with normal employability.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for migraines, right wrist disability, left wrist disability, right knee disability, and left knee disability has been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to service.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right rotator cuff disability have also been denied due to the lack of a diagnosed condition during the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates on various service connection claims have been withdrawn.,All issues of increased ratings and TDIU have also been withdrawn.

The Veteran's left elbow and left wrist disabilities are granted as service connected. The right elbow and right wrist disabilities are denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for systemic arthritis and left carpal tunnel syndrome was denied. The Board found no evidence of current diagnoses.,Service connection for low back disorder and sleep apnea is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the presence or etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for service connection due to conflicting information regarding her period of active duty and reserve status. The veteran is required to provide additional evidence, including personnel records from Camp Lincoln, to verify her service during the specified time frame.

The Veteran's appeals for extra-schedular ratings and TDIU were denied. The Board found that the assigned schedular criteria adequately described his disability picture, with no interference with employment or frequent hospitalization.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection for bilateral flat foot and evaluations for various disabilities. The Veteran's claims are being returned to the AOJ for additional examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected disabilities of the right ankle, right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, and hemorrhoids are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran is unable to maintain substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected right wrist disability, and the Board has granted a TDIU rating.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for postherpetic neuralgia involving the right ear and entitlement to a TDIU due to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran needs a new VA examination for his postherpetic neuralgia involving the right ear, and his claim for TDIU will be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various arm, shoulder, hand, and wrist disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions regarding whether these conditions are proximately caused or aggravated by her service-connected left knee disability. The Veteran is also being asked to provide a new examination to determine the current severity of her left knee disability.

The Veteran's right CTS disability was granted an initial rating of 30 percent from February 10, 2015 to October 18, 2019. A higher rating is denied at any time during the appeal period.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right wrist, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to incomplete records and need for clarification from VA examiners.

The Board has remanded the case due to errors in the VA examinations conducted in June 2017, and new examinations are required to assess the severity of the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's left radius fracture, status post open reduction internal fixation, is currently rated at 10 percent and the appeal for a higher rating has been denied.,The Veteran's left wrist strain is currently rated at 10 percent and the appeal for a higher rating has been denied.

The Veteran withdrew her appeals for the claims of service connection for various conditions, including adult onset scoliosis, myofascial pain syndrome, syncopal syndrome episode, right wrist carpal tunnel, a chronic shoulder condition, cervical spondylosis, an acquired psychiatric disability, and tibialis tendonitis (left ankle).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for prostate cancer and carpal tunnel syndrome due to potential exposure to herbicide agents or ionizing radiation. The case will be further developed to determine if the Veteran served in a presumptive area, and to obtain dose estimates for any possible radiation exposure.

The Veteran's right wrist strain and left wrist residuals, status post ORIF surgery have not resulted in ankylosis of either wrist. The initial ratings for these conditions remain denied.,The Veteran's right hand residuals, status post right thumb ORIF surgery and left hand residuals, status post left radial ORIF surgery, have not resulted in a gap of one to two inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm.) between the thumb pad and the fingers with the thumb attempting to oppose the fingers. The initial ratings for these conditions remain denied.,The Veteran's essential bilateral hand tremors has resulted in moderate disability. An initial compensable rating is granted, but no higher rating is warranted based on current evidence.,No effective date claims are before the Board as they were previously remanded and not appealed.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's service connection claims for a bilateral wrist condition and an acquired psychiatric disorder are not granted. The case is being remanded to gather more information.