Wrist & hand decisions — 2022

The Board has granted service connection for left upper extremity nerve disability and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). The decision finds a nexus between the Veteran's symptoms and his military service, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.

The appeal for service connection for a left foot great toenail disorder is dismissed. Service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is granted. The issues of service connection for chronic allergies, initial compensable disability rating for epidermal cysts of the back with residual scars prior to April 8, 2021 and in excess of 10 percent thereafter, and entitlement to an initial compensable disability rating for hemorrhoids are remanded.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection for low back disability, tinnitus, and right wrist disability. The Board dismissed the appeals as a result.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the left wrist disability is related to service. The Veteran's MOS and repetitive injury are also not addressed in the current opinion.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in loss or permanent loss of use of one or both feet, hands, vision, severe burn injury, ALS. Therefore, the claim for financial assistance in the purchase of an automobile and adaptive equipment is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left elbow and left wrist disabilities, finding that there is sufficient evidence to support these claims.

The Board has remanded the claim for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's right wrist condition had its clinical onset during active service or is related to any incident of service, including his documented in-service right wrist tendinitis.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that there was no nexus between the disabilities and his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to inconsistencies in medical opinions and need for clarification of his disability ratings.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of left wrist scar residuals must be remanded to allow for further development and consideration.

The Board has granted the Veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection of bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and remanded it for further development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left hip disability, right wrist CTS, left wrist CTS, low back disability, and OSA. The most probative evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a low back disorder and LLE radiculopathy, but denied service connection for right wrist, left heel, right eye, and chest disorders.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including degenerative joint disease status post compression fracture with low back strain and other related conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation since October 12, 2019. As such, the Board has granted a TDIU effective from that date.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection for left and right wrist sprains, and remanded the claim for service connection for a left shoulder strain (torn ligaments) and entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right wrist disability, hearing loss disabilities in both ears, and tinnitus due to issues with evidence not being current or complete.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left wrist condition, finding that there was no evidence to support a nexus between his current condition and service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's left wrist tendinitis, including missing service treatment records and conflicting theories of causation. The RO must obtain a new VA examination and determine if the condition is related to active duty service.

The Board has remanded the claims for left wrist ganglion cyst, acne, tinnitus, iron deficiency microcystic anemia, fatigue (claimed as tiredness), and psychiatric disorder to obtain additional information from the Veteran's service personnel records and to schedule a psychiatric examination.

The Veteran's left hand carpal tunnel syndrome, status-post surgical release, is currently rated at 20 percent and the Board has denied a higher rating.