Wrist & hand decisions — 2022

The Board denied service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between the condition and active military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for new evaluations of his left shoulder and wrist conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not preclude her from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, consistent with her education, skills, training, and work history.

The Board has remanded several claims for additional development, including for addendum opinions and VA examinations to address the Veteran's service connection claims.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims of service connection for left hip and left wrist disabilities due to a lack of consideration of all evidence, including lay statements.

The Board has remanded the appeal for new VA medical opinions due to deficiencies in the previous examination reports, and requests that any future opinions be provided by another medical professional.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for the VA to obtain his medical records and conduct examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected disabilities, which may affect his ability to drive. The matter will be readjudicated after these actions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left shoulder and bilateral wrist disabilities due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for additional clarifying addenda/opinions.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral wrist and knee disorders due to insufficient medical opinions addressing the Veteran's in-service symptoms. The claims will be returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities due to incorrect addresses being used in previous correspondence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been reopened, and the Board has granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD), left ear hearing loss, and bilateral eye disability. The claim for a cervical spine disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for CKD is granted. The Board also remanded several other issues including the reopening of a diabetes mellitus claim, depression, and various other disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for his right elbow disability was denied, and he is granted TDIU.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right knee and right wrist disabilities are granted. The claim for compensable ratings for bilateral shin splints is remanded.

The Veteran's right wrist poly radiculopathy/neuropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome was granted a 30 percent disability rating prior to March 26, 2019.,The Veteran's left wrist poly radiculopathy/neuropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome was granted a 20 percent disability rating prior to March 26, 2019.

The Board has granted service connection for various forms of arthritis in multiple joints, including the right and left hands, wrists, knees, shoulders, feet, and back. The decision is based on a finding that these conditions are related to normal wear and tear due to aging rather than exposure to ionizing radiation.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for a new medical opinion regarding his claimed left wrist condition and cervical radiculopathy.

The Board has remanded the issue of entitlement to a rating in excess of 10 percent for a left wrist disability due to inadequate August 2020 VA examination and failure to consider Mitchell v. Shinseki, 25 Vet. App. 32 (2011), and Correia v. McDonald, 28 Vet. App. 158 (2016).

The Board has determined that the Veteran's February 2007 claim for a 'right hand scar that is tender' reasonably encompassed a related claim for a right wrist and right hand disability. The November 2011 Board decision implicitly denied this claim, and as the Veteran did not appeal this implicit denial, it remains final. The matter of service connection for a right wrist and right hand disability is REMANDED due to the need for updated VA treatment records and an examination.

The Board has remanded the issue of service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist due to insufficient evidence. The temporary total evaluation claim is denied.