Wrist & hand decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to exposure to burn pits and other toxins during his military service, including his MOS as a vehicle repairer. The case will be reviewed with additional medical opinions considering the synergistic effect of all toxic exposures.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a lumbar spine disability and carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as his claim for TDIU. The Board found that there was no evidence to support the Veteran's assertions of in-service injury or continuity of symptomatology related to these conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an adequate medical opinion regarding the Veteran's bilateral wrist disorder. The claim will be returned for further development, including obtaining a new medical opinion.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to incomplete service treatment records and the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for low back and neck disorders were denied, but new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen these claims. Service connection is granted.,The Veteran's claim for service connection of acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD and MDD) was previously denied, but the appeal is granted as her symptoms are related to active-duty service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right wrist and knee disabilities have been denied. The Board found that the current disability ratings adequately reflect the severity of the Veteran's conditions.

The Veteran's petition to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a cervical spine disability was granted. The TDIU claim was also granted, and the issues related to left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, left ankle disability, left foot disability, and right foot disability were remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including chronic ear pain, sleep apnea, a rash, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, neck condition, back condition, bilateral knee condition, bilateral hand condition, bilateral hip condition, and bilateral wrist condition are all denied.,Service connection was not granted as the evidence does not support that any of these conditions began during service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and examination due to insufficient evidence in some areas, particularly regarding the Veteran's left hand and wrist scarring and her left knee disability.

The Veteran's application to reopen the previously denied claim for entitlement to service connection for a headache disability is granted. The application to reopen the previously denied claim for entitlement to service connection for a cervical spine disability is denied.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has decided to remand the case for a new VA examination to assess the current severity of his condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with the duty to assist and an inadequate statement of reasons or bases. The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has decided to remand the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to issues with scheduling an examination and obtaining employment history.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current disability for service connection of bilateral hearing loss, and therefore, the claim is denied.,For the remaining claims, the Board finds insufficient evidence to determine whether any of these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's healed fracture of the left wrist is granted a 20 percent rating, effective November 19, 2008. The issue of secondary service connection for a left arm condition due to interference with arm swing resulting in less movement than normal is referred to the Regional Office (RO).

The Board has found that the matter must be remanded again for substantial compliance with the previous remand. The Veteran's VA Mountain Home Health Care records from November 2003 to October 2017 are missing, and an addendum medical opinion is needed regarding the right shoulder disorder.

The Veteran's left wrist disability is granted an increased rating of 20 percent, effective October 4, 2012. Service connection for decreased grip strength and numbness in the left hand is denied. The Veteran's TDIU claim is also denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a lower jaw disability was denied. The Board found that the in-service dental procedure did not result in bone loss due to trauma or osteomyelitis, and thus, service connection could not be established.

The Veteran's left wrist disorder claim has been reopened and granted service connection.,Service connection for her left foot plantar fasciitis is granted. The Board found that the current symptoms are related to service.,There is no evidence of a current right shoulder disability, thus denying service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development to obtain medical records and conduct examinations to assess the severity of his service-connected psychiatric disability, lumbar spine, right shoulder, right wrist, and right knee disabilities. Additionally, he must be examined to determine the nature and etiology of any left knee, right ankle, left ankle, and respiratory disabilities.