Wrist & hand decisions — 2022

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right wrist condition and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as her request for increased ratings for osteophyte formation L5-S1. The appeal was remanded for further action on other issues.

The Veteran's tension headaches are rated at 30 percent, and his TDIU is granted effective October 27, 2010. The Board found that the combination of service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing or following substantially gainful employment since then.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim of service connection for a right wrist disability due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for further development. The case will be returned to the AOJ for additional evidentiary development.

Service connection for chronic bronchitis is granted under the PACT Act. Service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder and respiratory condition due to environmental hazard exposure are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for a left ankle disorder and remanded the issues of service connection for RLS, right wrist, and right knee disorders.

The Board has granted effective dates of November 4, 2010 for the Veteran's entitlement to a TDIU and Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) benefits.

The Board has ordered a new VA examination to determine the current severity of the Veteran's service-connected right wrist/hand disability due to inadequate previous examinations. The Veteran is seeking an increased initial evaluation for his disability.

The Board has decided to remand several claims for further development and consideration, including those related to migraines, right and left carpel tunnel syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), back pains and low back strain, and flatfeet.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, chronic fatigue syndrome, chronic upper respiratory, a left foot disorder, a left-hand disorder, painful scar, and right wrist disorder due to procedural issues.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome due to incomplete compliance with previous directives, including a need for updated EMG testing.

The Veteran's prostate condition, sleep apnea, carpal tunnel syndrome, left knee disability, shoulder and hip disabilities (claimed as bursitis and tendonitis), psychiatric disorder, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus were not found to be related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to a pre-decisional error regarding the Veteran's right wrist surgery and post-operative care, as well as discrepancies in X-ray interpretations by VA physicians.

The Board denied service connection for a left ear hearing loss disability, finding that the Veteran did not have continuous symptoms since separation from active duty and there was no evidence of in-service noise exposure causing his current condition.,The Board also denied service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left wrist, concluding that the Veteran's current condition is more likely due to normal aging rather than an in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the case for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD and/or alcoholism. The carpal tunnel syndrome of the bilateral upper extremities and right cubital tunnel syndrome are denied as there is no evidence to support a nexus between these conditions and service.

The Board has determined that new VA examinations are necessary to assess the current severity and manifestations of the Veteran's service-connected left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, left knee, left hip, and left leg limitation of extension disabilities due to evidence of potentially worsening symptomatology since the last examinations in October 2017.

The Board denied service connection for left wrist ganglion cyst and anemia, finding no evidence of their onset during service or a link to service.,The Veteran's OSA claim was reopened due to new and material evidence. However, the Board found that his OSA is not related to service or caused by his service-connected PTSD, allergic rhinitis, and stroke.

The Veteran's appeal for an increased rating for a right wrist scar and consideration of a combined rating for painful scars of the right elbow, left wrist, left elbow, and umbilical is dismissed due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective July 21, 2009. The Board found the evidence showed he was unable to work due to his service-connected back disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for arthritis of various joints prior to September 27, 2002 were denied. The Board found that the Veteran did not meet the criteria for a rating in excess of 10 percent for any of the claimed conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his left ankle condition, left wrist condition, right knee disability, and allergic rhinitis due to additional relevant evidence since the last VA examination.