Wrist & hand decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and degenerative joint disease of the upper extremities, as well as the claim for special monthly compensation based on aid and attendance/housebound. The reasons are that an appropriate medical examination and opinion should be obtained upon remand to clarify the etiology of the Veteran's disabilities.

The Board denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a right wrist scaphoid fracture and denied service connection for a right ankle disorder. The Veteran's right wrist disability was not found to warrant an increased rating, and there was no evidence of a current right ankle disorder other than the already service-connected Achilles rupture.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The left shoulder disability, diabetes mellitus, right and left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, tinnitus, and ischemic heart disease all had their respective ratings either denied or not met the criteria for higher ratings.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for meningitis, tendinitis of bilateral wrists, TBI, and migraine headaches due to a duty-to-assist error in obtaining his service treatment records.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed obstructive sleep apnea. The effective dates for increased ratings on neck scar, right upper chest scar, and left elbow and wrist scars are denied.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for cervical spine, right shoulder, and right wrist disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions provided in previous examinations.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, a right knee disorder, and a left knee disorder. The case will be remanded to the AOJ for further review.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted an initial rating of 10 percent, but no higher.,An initial rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's service-connected right wrist tenosynovitis is remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to a pre-decisional error in fulfilling the duty to assist. Specifically, a medical opinion is needed regarding whether the Appellant was insane at the time of his discharge.

The Board has determined that there is sufficient new and relevant evidence to readjudicate the claims for service connection for left wrist CTS, TBI, right middle cerebral artery aneurysm, status post clipping, CVA, left spastic hemiparesis, left arm spasms, headaches, and incontinence. The claims are being remanded due to the need for further development.

The Board has determined that the VA examination provided for the left wrist disability was incomplete and remands the case to obtain a new opinion regarding whether the left wrist disability is caused or aggravated by the service-connected right wrist disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding service connection for right and left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, so the claims are dismissed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left wrist pain and right wrist pain due to insufficient evidence.,Service connection is denied for right ear hearing loss and low back pain.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to the Veteran not having a current disability. The case is remanded for further examination and opinion regarding service connection for a bilateral wrist disorder.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, bilateral tinnitus, carpal tunnel syndrome, left shoulder condition, and back condition. The claims are being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and consideration of whether the Veteran is entitled to a total rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to his service-connected disabilities. The issue will be referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral wrist disability and right knee disability due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand instructions. The examiner is required to consider the Veteran's lay statements and testimony regarding falls aboard the ship and progressive worsening over time, and provide an opinion on whether these factors are related to his current disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for an initial compensable rating for laceration injury, right thumb 3rd proximal interphalangeal joint; service connection for right wrist ganglion cyst; and service connection for a low back condition are remanded. The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric condition is also remanded.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for a rash was denied, and his claims for migraine headaches, CFS, fibromyalgia, neurological disability, left upper extremity neuropathy, right upper extremity neuropathy, and left wrist disability were remanded.,Service connection is granted for migraine headaches. The Board found that the Veteran's current diagnosis of migraine headaches was related to his in-service surgical repair of his nasal septum.

The Board has granted service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome, headaches, neck condition, and bilateral eye condition as a result of VA vocational rehabilitation training. The Veteran's conditions are considered to be proximately caused by his participation in the training.