Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left-hand condition and his claimed secondary left-arm condition (carpal tunnel syndrome) have been granted. The Board found that the Veteran had pre-existing nerve damage in his left hand, which was aggravated by military service. Additionally, there is evidence suggesting that the Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome may be related to his pre-existing left-hand condition.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including a right wrist disability and bilateral hammertoes, have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment since at least 2009. The Board has granted TDIU effective July 7, 2014, but the issue of TDIU prior to that date is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's appeal includes multiple issues, including some that have been withdrawn. The remaining issues are related to service connection for various conditions and rating of disabilities such as right foot fracture residuals, TBI with headaches, low back disability, bilateral lower extremity neuropathy, left wrist disability, and bilateral upper extremity neuropathy.

The Veteran's initial rating requests for a higher disability rating were denied. The left shoulder, left carpal tunnel syndrome, and right carpal tunnel syndrome disabilities are rated at the minimum of 10 percent each since February 22, 2016. Service connection was denied for right hip disorder, bilateral tendonitis, right knee disorder, and sleep apnea.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her left wrist and thumb scars was remanded. The Board found that the scars, which were linear and stable prior to November 2016, resulted in two painful scars measuring less than 39 square centimeters from November 18, 2016 onwards, warranting a 10% rating.

The Veteran's claims for left hand disability, lower extremity vascular disease, and residuals of fracture of the left little finger were denied. The Veteran was granted a non-compensable rating for pilonidal cyst scars and a compensable rating (10%) for migraine headaches prior to November 16, 2016. However, his claim for increased ratings for right wrist disability after that date is denied.,The Veteran's claims for lower extremity vascular disease and residuals of fracture of the left little finger were denied. The Veteran was granted a non-compensable rating for pilonidal cyst scars and a compensable rating (10%) for migraine headaches prior to November 16, 2016. However, his claim for increased ratings for right wrist disability after that date is denied.

The Board granted a clothing allowance for the 2015 calendar year for bilateral wrist braces used by the Veteran to treat his service-connected bilateral wrist carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tooth decay, secondary to an eating disorder, has been denied as there is no evidence of a current dental disability eligible for compensation.,Service connection for the right wrist condition, claimed as secondary to PTSD, was also denied due to insufficient evidence linking the condition to her service-connected PTSD.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation since March 2010, granting his claim for TDIU.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected conditions, including tendinitis of the left leg, ganglion cyst and scar of the left wrist, as well as his claimed left arm and foot disabilities. The spine disability claim is also being remanded.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and earlier effective dates, including those pertaining to his bilateral knee chondromalacia, right wrist fracture, and TDIU. The issues are inextricably intertwined with the pending claim of whether a valid notice of disagreement was filed regarding these claims.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal is not about service connection at all, but rather about rating decisions and remands for additional examinations or evidence. The appeals are related to his headaches, PTSD, right wrist overuse syndrome, left wrist overuse syndrome, and central serous retinopathy with diplopia.

The Veteran's claims for left carpal tunnel syndrome, degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine with intervertebral disc syndrome, PTSD, and TDIU are being remanded due to incomplete VA opinions and need for further examination.

The Veteran's service-connected right wrist disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has ordered a remand to obtain updated VA treatment records and a new examination following his scheduled surgery.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for arthritis of the right hand/wrist and an increased disability evaluation for a right wrist cyst due to insufficient reasons or bases in the decision, as well as inadequate development.

The Veteran's current left shoulder disability, identified as left shoulder strain, is not related to service.,The Veteran's current right shoulder disability, identified as right shoulder strain, is not related to service.,The Veteran’s current left hand trigger finger disability is not related to service.,The Veteran’s current right hand trigger finger disability is not related to service.,The Veteran’s current left carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is not related to service.,The Veteran’s current right CTS is not related to service.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 and service connection for a right shoulder disorder and a right wrist disorder have been denied due to lack of evidence supporting the assertions.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left wrist disabilities, finding that the conditions began during service.

The Veteran's left wrist injury and fractured mandible are granted service connection, with the Board finding in favor of a grant for the left wrist condition. The case is remanded for further development regarding the rating for the mandible fracture.

The Board has granted service connection for amputation to the left wrist as secondary to service-connected residuals of radial collateral ligament repair and for mood disorder and panic disorder with agoraphobia as secondary to service-connected amputation at the left wrist.