Wrist & hand decisions — 2022

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral hearing loss, and left ankle disability due to new and material evidence. Service connection is granted for all three conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to incomplete records and need for clarification regarding the appellant's National Guard service at the time of his injury. The claim will be reconsidered with additional evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence and further development is required.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus was reopened and granted. Service connection is also granted for tinnitus. However, the claims for other conditions including CTS, psychiatric disorders, DMII, arthritis, kidney disorder, peripheral neuropathy, eye disorder, foot disorder, skin rash, and ED were denied.

The Board has granted service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left and right upper extremities, finding that it is related to the Veteran's military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for heart disability, right shoulder disability, bilateral wrist disabilities, bilateral knee disabilities, and bilateral foot disabilities due to unclear evidence regarding the nature of his conditions. The Veteran is asked to provide authorization for VA to obtain private treatment records from Dr. D.G., and a new examination is required to determine the etiology of these disabilities.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on aid and attendance/housebound status due to her ability to perform many activities of daily living with assistance when needed.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral upper extremity neurological impairment, including carpal tunnel syndrome and other neuropathies.

The Board has remanded the case due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran and because of the Court's acknowledgment of his physical and mental impairments. The claim will be referred for extraschedular TDIU consideration prior to January 31, 2019.

The Veteran's insomnia is currently rated at 50 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.,Both hip disabilities are currently rated at 20 percent each. The evidence does not support an increase in these ratings as there is no indication of ankylosis or other severe impairment.

The Board has remanded the case for further development regarding service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral shoulder disability, lumbar spine disability, and left wrist condition due to missing service treatment records and inadequate VA examination opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is being remanded due to the need for a VA medical opinion regarding its etiology.

The Board denied service connection for right upper extremity chronic C6-C7 radiculopathy, left upper extremity chronic C6-C7 radulopathy, right arm carpal tunnel syndrome, left arm carpal tunnel syndrome, right arm ulnar neuropathy, and left arm ulnar neuropathy as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions began during service or were related to an in-service injury.

The Veteran's claim for TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Disorder) as secondary to PTSD has been granted.,The Veteran's claim for obstructive sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD has also been granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for a VA examination and additional medical records.

The Board has remanded the cases for further adjudication due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran, and he requested that these matters be remanded to the AOJ for initial consideration of the new evidence. The issues include rating carpal tunnel syndrome and hip disorder, as well as TDIU.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than June 29, 2015 for the assignment of a 10 percent rating for bilateral hearing loss is denied.,The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than June 29, 2015 for grant of service connection for residuals of right wrist fracture with degenerative joint disease is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral plantar fasciitis and CTS of both upper extremities due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran is seeking service connection for these conditions, which are currently diagnosed but not definitively linked to her military service.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities as of July 24, 2019.