Wrist & hand decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the case due to a three-year gap in treatment records and the need for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome is related to service, specifically Gulf War exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral wrist and right ankle disabilities due to inadequate VA examination opinions. The Veteran is presumed competent to report her symptoms, but the prior examinations did not consider her lay statements or medical history.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right wrist and left knee disabilities due to conflicting medical opinions and the need for further examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence regarding his right wrist, bilateral shoulder, and OSA disabilities. The claims are being returned for further development including examinations and verification of toxic exposure.

The Veteran's right wrist condition, left knee condition, and sleep apnea are all granted service connection as they are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including left elbow, left shoulder, neck, right wrist, right elbow, and right shoulder disabilities. The claims are being returned to the RO for additional medical opinions addressing whether these conditions are related to his service-connected left wrist disability.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and adjudication due to issues with the qualifications of VA examiners and the need to obtain recent medical records.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, and therefore, the appeal is being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disability, left and right carpal tunnel syndrome, and bilateral foot disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development of her medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral hand disorder, including trigger finger and carpal tunnel syndrome, is related to his military service. The condition pre-existed service but did not worsen during service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's upper extremity numbness and tingling, including right carpal tunnel syndrome. The Veteran is requested to provide additional information or undergo further examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for service connection for sleep apnea and carpal tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity before a decision was made.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for various conditions due to additional VA records being added to the case file.

The Board has granted an effective date of July 12, 2012 for the award of service connection for a right wrist strain. The Veteran's claim was filed on that date, and there is evidence showing he had painful and limited motion at that time.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of left wrist disability, right shoulder condition, and blood clots as they are not related to military service.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for various hand and wrist disabilities, including those related to his service-connected left knee disability. The case is remanded for additional medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service treatment records are incomplete and have not been obtained. The case is being remanded to obtain these records, as well as any relevant personnel records from his National Guard service.

The Veteran's TBI residuals are rated at 20 percent, and his PTSD is denied an increased rating. The right wrist disability issue requires further development.

The Veteran's right hand condition, characterized as dense right median sensory neuropathy with carpal tunnel syndrome, was granted a 40 percent rating from September 4, 2013 to November 1, 2022. After this period, the Veteran's claim for an increased rating remains denied.

The Board has granted service connection for migraine headaches and dismissed the issues of service connection for left and right wrist disabilities.