Wrist & hand decisions — 2022

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim of service connection for right big toe joint and remanded the issues of service connection for right foot disorder, right wrist disorder (other than CTS), and right carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and need for additional medical opinions. The Veteran's claim will be reconsidered after these issues are addressed.

Service connection is granted for the right elbow disorder based on aggravation of a pre-existing condition.,Increased ratings for right and left ankle disabilities are denied.

The Board has remanded the claims for residuals of left wrist ganglion cyst, left and right foot disabilities, bilateral shin splints, bilateral knee strain, and bilateral hip sprain due to lack of clear and unmistakable aggravation by service. The Veteran's other service connection claims are also remanded.

The veteran's appeals for TDIU prior to July 15, 2008 and service connection for right knee, bilateral wrist, and thoracolumbar spine disabilities have been withdrawn.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for a right wrist condition and respiratory condition due to incomplete development of her service records, including verification of her periods of active duty. The VA is required to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (back disability, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus) have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since November 5, 2020. His TDIU is granted with an effective date of November 5, 2020.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection, rating increases, and effective dates are remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his right wrist, left knee, and hypertension.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right wrist sprain, finding that his current disability is related to an in-service injury and that there is no evidence of chronicity post-service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding her left wrist disability, bilateral knee disabilities, and left breast cyst. The issues have been returned to the RO for further examination.

The Veteran withdrew their appeals regarding service connection for acquired psychiatric disorder, coronary artery disease, hypertension, right knee disability, and right wrist disability. The Board dismissed the appeal due to withdrawal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for further development and examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeals for earlier effective dates are denied due to untimely filing of his substantive appeal.,The Board also found that there is no evidence showing an increase in disability within one year prior to September 24, 2004, and thus, no earlier effective date can be granted for increased ratings of the bilateral knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left wrist and thumb tendonitis due to new VA examinations and updated medical records.

The Board denied service connection for left-hand and/or wrist disabilities, as well as right-hand and/or wrist disabilities. The Veteran's eye disability (dry, itchy eyes) was granted.,Service connection was not established for the claimed hand and wrist conditions due to lack of current diagnoses or evidence of functional impairment.

The Board has denied service connection for a right wrist disorder due to the lack of evidence of current disability. The back disorder is remanded as there is insufficient opinion regarding its etiology.

The Veteran's service-connected left wrist disability does not meet the criteria for a TDIU as his other disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral wrist and knee disabilities due to a lack of STRs, but acknowledges the Veteran's reported in-service complaints. A VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a left wrist disability, to include as secondary to his service-connected left shoulder disability, is remanded due to the need for an adequate medical opinion addressing all theories of secondary service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right wrist and right arm disability due to inadequate VA examinations.