Wrist & hand decisions — 2022

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for a back condition, an allergic reaction or hives, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The Veteran will need to undergo further examinations to determine if these conditions are related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral wrist pain, excluding fibromyalgia and upper extremity neuropathy.,The Board also denied service connection for bilateral hand/finger tremors/pain, excluding fibromyalgia and upper extremity neuropathy.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for PTSD was granted, and he is now entitled to service connection for PTSD.,The Veteran's petition to reopen the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for obstructive sleep apnea was granted, and he is now entitled to service connection for this condition.

The Board has determined that further development is required to obtain the Veteran's service treatment records and to provide VA examinations for his musculoskeletal disorders, as well as any left ear hearing loss and low blood pressure diagnoses. The claims are being remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for further development and medical inquiry, including obtaining STRs from reserve service and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to outstanding VA treatment records and further medical examination. The issues include an acquired psychiatric disorder, fatigue, skin condition, and joint pain.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings are being remanded due to procedural issues, lack of adequate medical opinions, and need for further development.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for asthma has been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the appeal. The Board has remanded several other issues related to various disorders, including headaches, bilateral eye disorder, chronic sinusitis, skin disorder, neck disorder, upper back muscular disorder, left elbow disorder, left wrist disorder, right wrist disorder, left hand disorder, right hand disorder, left hip disorder, right hip disorder, left leg shin splints, right leg shin splints, and left foot disorder. The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, sleep apnea, tinnitus, degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, left knee patellar chondromalacia, and right knee patellar chondromalacia have also been remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings for left ankle and right wrist disabilities have been dismissed. The Board has also remanded the claim of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for right wrist, right knee, and low back disabilities. The cases are being remanded for additional development regarding her left wrist and left knee disabilities.

The Board has remanded the cases due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records from Pensacola Naval Hospital and Sacred Heart Hospital in Pensacola, Florida, as well as Social Security Administration (SSA) records.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate examination and need for additional development, including a new VA examination.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from securing or following substantially gainful employment from January 30, 2018, to April 2, 2020.

The Veteran's discharge from active duty service was due to a service-connected disability, and he is now eligible for the maximum educational assistance benefits rate under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple issues related to various service-connected conditions, including a higher rating for posterior fossa tumor ependymoma and left wrist neuropathy, as well as claims for earlier effective dates. The AOJ has remanded several of these issues due to procedural errors.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and unclear duty status. The Veteran is also required to undergo VA examinations for sleep apnea and bilateral hand/wrist disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including lumbar spine, bilateral knee, bilateral wrist, and bilateral elbow conditions, due to exposure to ionizing radiation during his active duty. The decision also holds in abeyance the issue of special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance or housebound status.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional medical opinions and development of records, particularly regarding the Veteran's service-connected left wrist scar from August 8, 1988 through February 7, 2007. The TDIU claim is also referred to VA's Director of Compensation for consideration under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b) during this period.

The Board has remanded the claims for right hip, left hip, knee, foot, and neck disabilities as well as migraine headaches to obtain additional opinions from VA physicians. The Veteran's service connection claims are currently pending.

The Board has granted service connection for liver disorder, to include hepatitis C. The issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder on a secondary basis, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and low back disorder are remanded due to lack of substantial compliance with the September 2021 decision.