Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and lumbar degenerative changes, collectively preclude him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a left shoulder disability were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of nexus between these conditions and service.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn, and the case is dismissed.

The Veteran's right upper extremity disability, including cerebrovascular accident with right side hemiparesis and carpal tunnel syndrome right wrist, is currently rated at 10 percent. The Board finds that the evidence does not support a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed bilateral knee, ankle, hand, and wrist disabilities are not related to his military service or any service-connected disability. The evidence does not establish a nexus between these conditions and active duty.

The Board found that none of the Veteran's claimed conditions are related to his service as an ART in the Air Force Reserve, and thus denied all claims for service connection.

The Veteran's claim for higher levels of SMC based on service-connected disabilities was denied as his conditions do not meet the legal criteria for such benefits.

The Veteran's left wrist arthritis is rated at 10 percent, and his low back disability prior to September 19, 2016, was also rated at 10 percent. The Veteran's TDIU claim has been granted.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the failure of a scheduled hearing before a Veterans Law Judge sitting at the RO. The case will be returned for further action.

The Veteran's right wrist disability, characterized by painful motion and stiffness, did not meet the criteria for a higher rating in excess of 10 percent. The evidence did not show ankylosis or incapacitating exacerbations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as his service-connected disabilities result in a functional impairment of being able to perform only sedentary work, and they overshadow any professional skills acquired during and after service. The Veteran meets the schedular requirement for TDIU due to combined rating of 70 percent.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for the issues of service connection for left wrist disability, right wrist disability, and sleep apnea. The appeal is dismissed.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a currently diagnosed right knee disability, and his left carpal tunnel syndrome and left shoulder impingement syndrome are less likely than not related to service. The Board finds no evidence of permanent worsening of the preexisting left knee condition during active service.

The Veteran's service-connected left and right wrist tendonitis disabilities are being remanded for additional examinations to determine their current severity.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right wrist disability is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and obtaining outstanding VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected carpal tunnel syndrome with reflex sympathetic dystrophy warrants a 20 percent disability rating, effective from August 9, 2006.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate reasons and bases provided by the Board in its denial. Specifically, the JMR noted that a record mentioned in the hearing was not obtained, and the VA examination did not have an adequate opinion regarding secondary service connection.

The Veteran's right thumb disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude him from securing or following any form of substantially gainful employment consistent with his education and occupational background.