Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate reasons and bases in its decision, specifically regarding the right wrist disability. The parties agreed that the Board failed to discuss all material evidence when it found a separate nerve rating was not warranted for the Veteran's right wrist disability. They also agreed on the need to reconsider the reduction in rating from 20 percent to 10 percent.

The Veteran meets the schedular criteria for a TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities, which render him unemployable.

The Board has granted service connection for right wrist and right ankle pain, but denied service connection for reactive airway disease (bronchitis).

The Veteran's TMJ was granted service connection. Service connection for insomnia, right wrist condition, left knee condition, and right knee condition were denied. Service connection for dry skin of scalp and face was also denied.

The Veteran's initial compensable rating and increased rating claims for bilateral hearing loss and left hand carpal tunnel are being remanded due to the need for updated VA treatment records, translation of foreign language documents, and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected low back strain disability necessitates the use of a low back brace, but there is no clinical or lay evidence showing that this brace causes wear and tear to his clothing. As such, he does not meet the criteria for an annual VA clothing allowance.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for depression, anxiety, and migraine headaches have been granted. The claim for insomnia was denied. Service connection has also been established for a left wrist disorder.

The Veteran's appeal for a TDIU is remanded due to the submission of new VA examination reports and ongoing treatment records. The AOJ will review these documents and provide a supplemental statement of the case (SSOC).

The Veteran's service-connected degenerative spurring of the right olecranon and postoperative residuals of a right wrist injury with carpal tunnel syndrome were denied. The Board found that there was no evidence to support secondary service connection for the right arm conditions.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to obtain outstanding VA and private treatment records, as well as medical opinions regarding the onset and relationship of her claimed disabilities to service.

The Board has denied service connection for a right wrist disability, granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability, and denied service connection for a right ankle disability and LLE radiculopathy. The case is remanded to obtain an opinion on the etiology of RLE radiculopathy.

The Board has granted service connection for left and right carpal tunnel disorders, finding that they are related to the Veteran's active service due to aggravation by his service-connected back disability.

The Board has not fully addressed the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral hand disability, including his diagnosed conditions and potential secondary service connection. The case is being remanded to provide an addendum opinion from a VA examiner.

The Veteran's tinnitus, MDD with alcohol substance abuse, and right ear hearing loss have been granted service connection. However, the effective dates for these conditions are October 11, 2016.,The claims of service connection for tendinitis, left ear hearing loss, glaucoma, a thoracolumbar spine disability, COPD, hypertension, carpal tunnel syndrome, sleep apnea, and stomach ulcer remain pending. Further development is needed to determine the current status of these conditions.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection for a right wrist disability and remanded the remaining issues. The Veteran's claim to reopen his right knee disability is granted.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for degenerative changes of the right wrist, left knee, and right knee were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist and an increased rating for patellofemoral dysfunction of the right knee, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board denied service connection for left shoulder, right elbow with CTS, left wrist with CTS, and right ankle conditions. Service connection was also denied for dry eye condition.,Service connection for bilateral pes planus is remanded.

The Veteran's migraine headaches have been rated at 50% since January 2018. The Board has granted an initial rating of 50% for her migraines, finding that they are productive of very frequent completely prostrating and prolonged attacks with severe economic inadaptability.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional examinations and evaluations regarding his psychiatric disorder, alcohol abuse, and left wrist disability.