Wrist & hand decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the claims for right and left upper extremity radiculopathy, as well as carpal tunnel syndrome. The claims are being returned to obtain additional medical opinions that address the nature and severity of the service-connected conditions and any other diagnosed neurological disabilities.

The Veteran was awarded SMC(o) based on multiple service-connected disabilities, and SMC(r)(1) for need of aid and attendance. The Board found the criteria for higher levels of SMC were not met.

The Veteran's right wrist disability, including osteoarthritis and scaphoid fracture, is currently rated at 10 percent. The appeal for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various skin and musculoskeletal conditions due to new evidence submitted after the September 2020 supplemental statement of the case.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been remanded due to the legacy appeal system not being opted into the modernized review system.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for right shoulder, bilateral wrist, and lumbar spine disabilities is being remanded due to inadequate examination reports that do not account for the functional impact of flare-ups.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a bilateral hearing loss disability, left wrist disability, and hypertension due to insufficient evidence in their current evaluations. The Veteran is required to undergo further examinations to determine if he meets the criteria for service connection and to assess the severity of his disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for allergic rhinitis. The right wrist disability and residuals of TBI issues are remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Veteran's fibromyalgia is rated at 40 percent effective April 30, 2019. The claim of service connection for a heart disorder has been reopened and granted due to new evidence indicating potential inservice onset. Service connection for allergic rhinitis, asthma, and acquired psychiatric disorders are all granted on a presumptive basis.,The Veteran's right knee, left knee, left shoulder, left hand, and left wrist disorders have been dismissed as the Veteran withdrew her claims at the November 2021 Board hearing.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability, diagnosed as cervical strain, intervertebral disc syndrome, and disc bulge at C5-C6, is granted service connection.,Service connection for radiculopathy of the right upper extremity, secondary to cervical spine disability, is also granted.

The Board has granted service connection for GERD and denied service connection for all other conditions, including lung disability, upper extremity disorders, lower extremity peripheral neuropathies, kidney stones, benign prostate hypertrophy, low back disorder, hip disorders, and knee disorders. The Veteran's claims are based on presumed exposure to herbicide agents in Vietnam.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for obstructive sleep apnea, plantar fasciitis, and a bilateral hand/wrist disorder due to procedural issues and the need for additional medical opinions considering potential toxic exposure.

The Veteran's initial rating for right wrist degenerative arthritis and carpal tunnel syndromes was denied, but a higher initial disability rating of 30 percent was granted for the right wrist disability from July 12, 2022. The ratings for left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome and right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome remain at 20 percent and 30 percent respectively.

The Veteran's claimed conditions, including muscle pain and various joint and foot disabilities, are not service-connected as they do not meet the criteria for service connection under direct service connection rules.

The Veteran's previously denied claim of service connection for a back disability is reopened. The issues of rating higher than 10 percent for left and right lower extremity exertional compartment syndrome, as well as service connection for upper extremity carpal tunnel syndromes are all remanded.

The Veteran's right wrist osteoarthritis, bone cysts, and ganglion cysts are granted service connection. The bilateral foot condition (claimed as gout) is remanded for further review.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder secondary to her right wrist disability and for TDIU. The evidence did not support the presence of a currently diagnosed acquired psychiatric disorder, and the Veteran was found unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining missing VA and private treatment records related to the Veteran's group therapy. A new VA opinion on bilateral wrist arthritis is also required. The Regional Office must review all updated evidence since the last supplemental statement of the case.