Wrist & hand decisions — 2022

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various spinal and joint disabilities, as well as an acquired psychiatric disorder. The VA will obtain new medical opinions to clarify whether these conditions are related to active service.

The Board has decided to remand several issues related to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including increased ratings for various orthopedic conditions and hypertension. The remand is due to incomplete VA treatment records and the need for new examinations to assess current disability levels.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete examinations and need for additional opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining a new medical opinion on the nature and etiology of the Veteran's left wrist disability. The AOJ must ensure that the requested medical opinion complies with the terms of this remand.

The Board has remanded the claims for heart disability, back disability, neck disability, sciatic nerve conditions in buttocks (left and right lower extremities), lower leg disabilities (left and right lower extremities), upper extremity disabilities (left and right upper extremities), and hemorrhoids due to potential service connection issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to unavailability of VA examinations and insufficient rationale in the February 2021 VA medical opinion. The Veteran is required to provide a response regarding whether he can appear for a telehealth examination or an in-person VA examination, and if so, what type of examination.

The Board has determined that a VA examination is needed to determine if the Veteran's right wrist disability is related to service, within one year of separation from service, or is otherwise related to service. The Board also finds that it was implicitly raised by the record for secondary service connection due to osteoarthritis of the fingers.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected bilateral arthritis of the hands and wrists, left wrist and hand, right wrist and hand, and left carpal tunnel syndrome are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. The Veteran needs new evaluations to determine the current severity of her conditions.

The Veteran's claim for right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome was reopened and granted. The claims for left wrist and/or arm conditions, as well as right wrist and/or arm conditions, are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various spine and foot disorders due to incomplete records and a change in address.

The Veteran's claims for service connection related to kidney stones, elbow pain with cubital tunnel syndrome, carpal tunnel syndrome, and respiratory problems are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.,The Veteran's claims for right and left elbow pain with cubital tunnel syndrome, as well as right and left carpal tunnel syndrome, and chronic lung or respiratory problems are also being remanded.

The Veteran's right wrist and hand disabilities are currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that higher ratings are not warranted.,The Veteran's irritable bowel syndrome with GERD is currently rated at 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for her dog bite residuals, as ulnar nerve neuropathy affecting her right hand, finger, and wrist. The remand is due to the failure of the Veteran to attend a scheduled VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand two cases regarding service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right and left upper extremities due to insufficient development in prior examinations.

The Veteran's left wrist and index finger and thumb are rated at 60 percent, effective January 1, 2009. Special monthly compensation is granted for loss of use of the left hand. The Veteran's right wrist condition does not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for diabetes mellitus type II, due to exposure to herbicides is granted. The Board finds the Veteran had service in Korea near the DMZ and was exposed to herbicide agents during his active duty.

The Veteran's claims for higher disability ratings for diabetic neuropathy and diabetic related carpal tunnel syndrome of the upper extremities, as well as bilateral diabetic retinopathy, have been denied.,No compensable rating has been assigned for the Veteran's bilateral diabetic retinopathy.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and initial rating determinations due to incomplete development. The hearing loss claim is denied, while the remaining issues are remanded.

The Veteran's left wrist CTS is rated at 20 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new and material evidence submitted by the Veteran, but the issues remain unresolved as they are related to exposure during service.