Wrist & hand decisions — 2023

The Veteran's hypertension, right wrist disability, and Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma are granted service connection due to the PACT Act presumption. The Veteran is also granted a compensable rating for anemia (iron deficiency).

The Board has decided to remand the case due to the need for a VA examination and medical nexus opinion regarding the Veteran's right hand and wrist injuries.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and relationship of his claimed disabilities to active service.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a rating of 70 percent, and he is granted TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that it did not begin during or is otherwise etiologically related to active service, including as due to his service-connected disabilities or aggravation.

The Board has granted service connection for a right wrist disability manifested by pain, limitation of motion, and weakness, finding that the condition had its onset in service.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating for DeQuervain's tenosynovitis of the right wrist was denied, and her appeal for a compensable rating for tension headaches is remanded.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating issues have been dismissed due to her withdrawal of all pending appeals.

The Veteran's service connection claim for right carpal tunnel syndrome, claimed as right upper extremity neuropathy, is granted. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded.

The Board has remanded the cases for further examination and evaluation due to inadequate prior examinations. The Veteran's left wrist fracture and lumbar spine disabilities are being evaluated again.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of his military personnel records. The Board will consider all submitted evidence, including lay statements from the Veteran, in determining whether service connection is warranted for the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for her left wrist disability is being remanded due to inconsistencies between her statements and the VA examination report findings. She asserts that she has no strength in her left wrist, but the November 2019 VA examination did not test muscle strength.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left wrist or arm disability (claimed as left arm numbness and pain, whole left arm arthritis, and carpal tunnel syndrome) is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and opinion.

The Veteran's ED is found to be caused by a service-connected disability, and the claim for service connection for ED is granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining updated VA and private treatment records. The Board also found that a new examination is needed in several cases.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's bilateral wrist disability and back disability do not meet the criteria for service connection. The case is being remanded to obtain updated medical records and a new VA examination.

The Veteran's right wrist scar is granted service connection. The issues of initial compensable disability rating for right thumb scar, initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for right thumb disability, and entitlement to service connection for right wrist disability are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including right lower extremity knee and sciatic nerve radiculopathy, together with organic diseases such as coronary artery disease, sinusitis, and hypertension, result in the loss of use of one lower extremity and affect balance and propulsion. The Board grants entitlement to specially adapted housing but dismisses the claim for a special home adaptation grant.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The Veteran's hypertension was not manifested by diastolic pressure predominantly 100 or more or systolic pressure predominantly 160 or more during the appeal period, thus no compensable rating is warranted.,The Veteran's left hand fracture/long finger disability did not result in a gap of one inch (2.5 cm) or more between the fingertip and the proximal transverse crease of the palm with the finger flexed to the extent possible; nor was there limitation of extension limited by no more than 30 degrees, thus no compensable rating is warranted.,Service connection for bilateral hearing loss cannot be established as the Veteran did not have a current disability at any time during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.,Service connection for a left hip disability cannot be established as the Veteran did not have a current disability at any time during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.,Service connection for a left wrist joint pain (not service-connected) cannot be established as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for right testicular mass cannot be established as there is no evidence of a current disability.,Service connection for contact dermatitis (legs, face, neck) cannot be established as there is no evidence of a current disability.