Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for right wrist and lumbar strain disabilities due to inadequate examination reports, requiring further evaluations.

The Board has granted the Veteran's petitions to reopen his claims for service connection for left and right shoulder disabilities. The case is now REMANDED for additional examinations and opinions regarding various other issues, including service connection for right hand/wrist, bilateral ankle, hip, and shoulder disabilities; initial ratings for knee and lumbar spine disabilities; and a TDIU claim.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates are being remanded due to the need to obtain additional VA treatment records.,The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for service connection of degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and radiculopathy of the right upper extremity.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the right hand and carpal tunnel syndrome may be related to service, but needs further examination for a definitive opinion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for service-connected left wrist scaphoid fracture and a disability rating in excess of 10 percent for service-connected right knee degenerative joint disease due to insufficient evidence from recent VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions due to a lack of new and material evidence. The Veteran must submit additional evidence to reopen these claims.,A TDIU claim is also being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection claims.

The Veteran was granted service connection for headaches, left knee strain, right patellar tendonitis, bilateral elbow strain, bilateral wrist strain, and bilateral shoulder strain.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder was denied.

The Veteran's left wrist strain is granted service connection, effective from the date of separation.,Service connection for radiculopathy of the bilateral upper extremities is denied as earlier effective dates are not supported by evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's DDD of the lumbar spine due to inadequate testing in the previous examination. The other issues remain pending.

The Veteran's claims for service connection of a right elbow disorder and right upper extremity neuropathy are remanded.,The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for various conditions, including right wrist sprain, lumbar strain, hip trochanteric bursitis, ankle sprains, and headaches, are also remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right shoulder and right wrist disabilities due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for new examinations.

The Veteran's right upper extremity Carpal Tunnel Syndrome with Peripheral Neuropathy is now rated at 30 percent effective March 21, 2012. The left upper extremity CTS with peripheral neuropathy is also rated at 20 percent effective March 21, 2012.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including right shoulder, left wrist, left leg, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and facial disabilities. The Veteran's claims for myofascial pain syndrome (right pectoral muscle), right foot disability (right great toe), nasal disability, hemorrhoids, mole on the outside of his right knee, and bruxism are pending.

The Veteran's spouse is granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on her need for aid and attendance due to physical limitations including chronic back pain, shoulder pain, wrist pain, peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral carpal tunnel.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities of psoriasis vulgaris, psoriatic arthritis, bilateral hearing loss, and psoriatic arthritis of the cervical spine, hands, feet, elbows, wrists, ankles, and shoulders render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. After considering all evidence, including reasonable doubt, TDIU is granted.

The Veteran is found to be unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected disabilities, particularly PTSD, back pain, neck pain, and right wrist disability. The Board has granted the TDIU claim.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient examination regarding left carpal tunnel syndrome. Further examination is needed to determine if the condition was incurred in service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence having been submitted. The Veteran's symptoms related to his claimed conditions have not been evaluated in a recent VA examination, so additional examinations are needed.

The Veteran's right wrist disability, which includes arthritis and ankylosis, is rated at 10 percent due to painful motion. The Board found that the condition does not meet criteria for higher ratings as there was no evidence of ankylosis or incapacitating episodes.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right wrist disability and acquired psychiatric disorders, including PTSD, depressive disorder, bipolar disorder, and drug and alcohol abuse disorder, are not service-connected.