Wrist & hand decisions — 2023

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a need for a new VA examination to assess the severity of the Veteran's left wrist disability, as there may have been an increase in symptoms since the last examination.

The Board denied increased disability ratings for the service-connected left wrist and left knee disabilities, finding that the current symptoms do not warrant a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Veteran's right wrist disability, sleep apnea, pulmonary disability (including asthma), and psychiatric disability are all remanded for further evaluation.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, a pulmonary disability, and a psychiatric disability are remanded due to the need for additional evidence and examination.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for a pulmonary disability is remanded as there is insufficient medical evidence to determine its etiology. The claim for service connection for a psychiatric disability is also remanded due to the need for an opinion regarding whether service aggravated any pre-existing condition.,The right wrist disability, sleep apnea, and pulmonary disability (including asthma) claims are all remanded because of the need for further examination and evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a right wrist scaphoid fracture and incomplete paralysis of the median nerve, as well as his TDIU claim prior to November 5, 2013. The remand requires additional development including new VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left wrist disabilities, finding that there was no evidence linking his current wrist conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for BUE peripheral neuropathy is remanded due to the need for further development, including an addendum VA examination and consideration of all theories of service connection.

The Board has found the previous examination reports for the right wrist disability to be inadequate and has ordered a remanded with instructions to conduct a Sharp-compliant examination. For sleep apnea, the AOJ is instructed to comply with the PACT Act's requirement to schedule an examination and request a medical opinion due to potential asbestos exposure.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hand arthritis, CTS, lumbar spine condition, and bilateral knee condition due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran contends her conditions are related to service, including repetitive movements in her MOS as a medical service specialist.

The Veteran's claim for an allowance for an automobile or other conveyance, and adaptive equipment is being remanded due to the need for a medical opinion regarding his service-connected disabilities and their impact on his ability to use his feet and hands. The case will be reconsidered after this additional evaluation.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral wrist CTS, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not related to her active military service or any service-connected disabilities.,For the right hip disability, the Board also denied an increased rating, concluding that there was no evidence of a compensable degree of limitation of motion.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for arthritis of the spine, bilateral hands/fingers, bilateral hips, bilateral knees, bilateral shoulders, and bilateral wrists, as well as his skin condition claim due to insufficient rationale in the VA examiners' opinions. The AOJ is instructed to seek new opinions that consider the Veteran's MOS and STRs.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right hand/finger disabilities, as well as left and right wrist disabilities, due to exposure to herbicide agents and Gulf War environmental hazards. The VA is required to obtain additional medical opinions to determine if these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities allowed him to qualify for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) beginning August 12, 2010. He also received special monthly compensation (SMC) pursuant to 38 U.S.C. § 1114(s).

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his right wrist condition was denied, and the case is being remanded due to insufficient development.,For the TDIU issue, the Veteran is not currently employed in an industrial capacity due to his service-connected right wrist disability. The Board has determined that referral for extraschedular consideration is warranted.

The Board has determined that a remand is necessary to obtain an addendum VA opinion regarding the Veteran's right wrist and hand disability, which may be secondary to his service-connected left wrist disability.

The Veteran's right wrist disorder is now granted as service connection.,The claims for lumbar strain and neck condition are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been granted, but the appeals are remanded for further development and rating actions.

The Veteran's service-connected Gulf War Syndrome is considered to be the cause of his blood in urine, bowel disability, upper respiratory disability, dizziness, obstructive sleep apnea, bilateral wrist disorder, left shoulder disorder, and right shoulder disorder.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral wrist/hand and left knee braces caused excessive wear and tear on her clothing in calendar year 2014, which led to the denial of a clothing allowance. The Board found that the Veteran's claim was valid based on her credible testimony and lay statements.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to inadequate medical opinions in previous decisions.