Wrist & hand decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that the Veteran's substantive appeal was timely filed, and his claims for service connection for left wrist, right shoulder, and left shoulder disabilities as secondary to a neck disability are denied.

The Board dismissed the appeal regarding the Veteran's claim for service connection for headaches as the AOJ had already granted this benefit in a separate rating decision.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating for compensation based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU) prior to April 11, 2014. The case is referred to the Director of Compensation Service for extraschedular consideration.

The Board has determined that there has not been substantial compliance with the previous remand directives regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection. The case is therefore being returned to the Regional Office for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for lumbar spine disorder and left wrist/hand disorder due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims to reopen for GERD, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Left Shoulder Disability, and Low Back Disability. The claims for these conditions are being remanded due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's PTSD, diarrhea, CTS of the right and left upper extremities, and lumbar spine disability need further examination to determine their current status and etiology. The PACT Act is applicable for the diarrhea claim.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete documentation of the examiner's CV, which was not sent to the Veteran and his representative as instructed.

The Veteran's claims for an increased rating for his right wrist fracture and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining SSA records.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to a lack of complete service treatment records and for additional medical opinions. The Veteran's claims are related to his military duties involving lifting and handling heavy equipment.

The Veteran's left wrist disability and acquired psychiatric disorder are granted, with a 40% increased rating for lumbosacral strain effective April 17, 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for prostate cancer, soft tissue sarcoma of the right wrist, an acquired psychiatric disorder, and sleep apnea due to exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune. The claims are being remanded because VA examinations were not conducted or opinions provided regarding these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to insufficient examination reports.

The Veteran's claims for effective dates and ratings related to his right shoulder scars, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and pituitary gland tumor are being remanded due to the addition of relevant evidence since the last statement of the case.

The Board has found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of COPD, an undiagnosed illness, or a qualifying chronic disability. The claims for service connection for left wrist and knee disabilities are remanded due to inadequate opinions regarding direct service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral flat feet and plantar fasciitis, right or left ear disorder, right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, right carpal tunnel syndrome (dominant), left carpal tunnel syndrome (nondominant), right shoulder acromioclavicular joint strain (dominant), right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFS), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to the Veteran's failure to appear for VA examinations scheduled in April 2023.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his upper extremity nerve conditions, as well as their current severity. The Veteran is seeking service connection for right elbow nerve damage and right upper extremity cubital tunnel syndrome, which he attributes to in-service injuries or overuse of his right hand and finger conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination regarding the Veteran's scars associated with her service-connected ganglion cyst on the left wrist. The claim is still pending and will be reconsidered after the additional development.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, sleep apnea, carpal tunnel syndromes, sebaceous cyst, left hand joint pain, gallstones, and knee, shoulder, elbow, and wrist disorders. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the Veteran's military service or exposure to burn pits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral ankle disability, initial ratings greater than 10 percent for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left and right upper extremities, as well as initial ratings greater than 10 percent for left and right knee joint osteoarthritis.