Wrist & hand decisions — 2022

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a bilateral foot disorder is reopened, and the issues of service connection for multiple joint disorders are remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted restoration of the 30 percent evaluation for right carpal tunnel syndrome but has remanded the issue of a rating in excess of 30 percent due to insufficient examination reports and potential worsening of symptoms.

The Veteran's right wrist scar is granted service connection. The digestive disorder and back condition claims are reopened, but further evidence is needed to determine if they meet the criteria for service connection.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome due to inadequate opinions regarding causation and aggravation by service-connected disabilities, as well as exposure to Agent Orange.

The Veteran's right and left wrist disabilities, diagnosed as tendonitis, were granted service connection.,The Veteran's diverticulitis was granted service connection. His headaches and psychiatric disability (insomnia with generalized anxiety disorder) were also granted service connection.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is rated at 10 percent, and the claim for a higher rating is denied.,A separate 20 percent rating is granted for right knee dislocated semilunar cartilage with frequent episodes of locking, pain, and effusion.,The Veteran's left knee disability is rated at 10 percent based on painful and/or limited motion.

The Board has denied an increased rating for osteoarthritis of the right wrist and has remanded the issue of entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his depressive disorder with adjustment disorder, bilateral knee conditions, and carpal tunnel syndromes, prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment consistent with his educational and vocational experience.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings and service connection claims, including those related to pes planus, left wrist disorder (including CUE in a prior rating decision), bilateral knee disabilities, and asthma. The Board dismissed the cases as a result.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development, including VA examinations and opinions regarding whether the Veteran's left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome and right-hand small finger limitation are related to active service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including GERD, left and right knee arthritis, left great toe bunionectomy residuals, tinnitus, right wrist surgery residuals, right thumb strain, and right hallux valgus, have rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment. The Board has granted a TDIU and established basic eligibility for Dependents' Educational Assistance.

The Veteran's request to withdraw his right wrist disability claim has been accepted. The Board finds that the Veteran does not have a current hearing loss disability in his left ear, and therefore service connection for left ear sensorineural hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for right ear sensorineural hearing loss is granted based on continuity of symptomatology since service. However, the Board has remanded to obtain clarification regarding whether the Veteran currently has a hip or knee disability.

The Veteran's right wrist and right elbow disabilities are found to be related to service. The neck and back disabilities, as well as the right hip disability (secondary to a back disability), are remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to inadequate VA examinations in previous decisions. The Veteran is still seeking higher ratings for his left wrist fracture, right hip fractures, and left hip arthritis.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection for a headache disability are remanded.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's right wrist ganglion cyst with residual scar, finding that her symptoms do not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for lumbar-spine disorder, shin splints, right-shoulder disorder, left-shoulder disorder, right-wrist disorder, left-wrist disorder, and right-ankle disorder due to an outstanding duty to assist.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right wrist disabilities due to insufficient evidence in support of her claims.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including lumbar spine disability, left and right lower extremity frostbite residuals, acquired psychiatric disability (PTSD), prostate cancer, cervical spine disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left elbow disability, right elbow disability, left wrist disability, right wrist disability, and gastrointestinal disabilities. The claims were denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's neck, low back, right wrist carpal tunnel, right hand disorder (including right thumb disorder), right little finger disorder, and gastrointestinal disorders may be related to his active duty service. However, additional medical opinions are needed to clarify these relationships.