Wrist & hand decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete development and failure to obtain addendum opinions. The Veteran's representative provided reasons for non-compliance with prior remand directives.

The Veteran's tyloma of the feet is rated at a non-compensable level, and his incomplete paralysis of the left radial nerve (previously characterized as radial nerve neuritis, s/p ganglion cyst removal, left wrist) is rated at 40 percent.,PTSD, tenosynovitis, GERD, and migraine headaches are all remanded for further review.

The Veteran's service-connected right wrist disability results in painful motion, but does not include ankylosis or its functional equivalent. The Board has remanded the case for further development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's appeal, finding clear and unmistakable error in the December 10, 1997 rating decision that denied service connection for right and left wrist disabilities (claimed as carpal tunnel syndrome). The decision grants service connection based on new evidence.

The Veteran's TDIU claims are remanded due to the need for additional development, including a combined-effects medical examination and completion of a VA Form 21-8940.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right wrist and ankle disabilities have been granted. The right wrist sprain is considered a direct result of an in-service injury, while the right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain is also considered to be directly related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims of increased ratings for scaphoid fracture, right wrist; right knee chondromalacia; and left knee chondromalacia due to outstanding VA treatment records from 2018-2022.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for respiratory nodules, right wrist disability, and left wrist disability are being remanded due to deficiencies in the record existing prior to the appealed decision.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable rating for scar, right wrist residuals of right carpal tunnel release was granted. The Board also remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, left knee disability, and left carpal tunnel syndrome due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's asthma is granted service connection based on presumptive exposure to burn pits. The gastrointestinal issues, left shoulder condition, left elbow condition, right elbow condition, left wrist condition, right wrist condition, right knee condition, and ankle conditions are remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's claim for an annual clothing allowance for Canadian Crutches in 2020 is being remanded due to insufficient explanation of the denial and conflicting evidence regarding use for a service-connected disability.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for right wrist disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and migraine headaches due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran was not properly notified of his scheduled VA examinations and it is unclear whether he was incarcerated at the time of these exams. Additionally, SSA disability benefits records are needed.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and an earlier effective date were denied. The left wrist disability is rated at 10 percent, but the scar is rated at 0 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and an earlier effective date were denied. The left wrist disability is rated at 10 percent, but the scar is rated at 0 percent.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee enthesopathy and bilateral wrist disorders, finding that the Veteran's conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's right little finger fracture and scaphoid fracture, as well as his carpal and cubital tunnel syndrome, were denied compensable ratings.,For the period prior to March 30, 2023, the Veteran's wrist disability was also denied a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for right wrist osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's arthritis is not related to his service-connected ganglion cyst and is more likely due to natural aging.,Service connection was also denied for a right arm disorder and left arm disorder, as there was no evidence of chronic symptoms in service or within one year after separation.

The Board has remanded several claims for additional development, including obtaining VA and non-VA treatment records related to the Veteran's right shoulder, right foot, right wrist, right knee, back, and hearing loss disorders.

The Veteran's service connection claims for dental treatment, chronic dental condition, residuals from traumatic brain injury (TBI), and upper extremity neuropathies were denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for dental treatment due to in-service trauma.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for his claimed left arm condition and left hand disability, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.