Wrist & hand decisions — 2023

The Board has remanded the claims for PTSD, right wrist disability, left foot disability, and hypertension due to new evidence received since the June 2019 statement of the case.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for carpal tunnel syndrome and decompression of the ulnar nerve in the right arm is being remanded due to missing relevant private treatment records.

The Board has remanded the claims for a low back condition, right wrist disability, right hand disability, right foot disability, and TMJ disorder due to inadequate examination reports. The Veteran's service connection claims are not supported by the evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left wrist condition, including his left thumb, joints, and hand, may be related to service. However, due to a lack of medical evidence linking the current condition to service, the case is being remanded for further examination and development.

The Veteran's claim for bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a current disability.,The Veteran's stomach condition is remanded to obtain an opinion regarding direct service connection and secondary service connection.

The Veteran's right and left carpal tunnel syndrome disabilities are rated at 30 percent and 20 percent, respectively, prior to May 5, 2021. The decision grants increased evaluations for these conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right wrist ganglion cyst, finding that there was no evidence of its onset during service or within one year of separation. The VA examiner concluded it is less likely than not related to service.

The Board has decided to remand three issues related to the Veteran's right shoulder, right wrist, and left wrist pain. The reasons for this are that there is conflicting medical evidence regarding whether these conditions may be due to an undiagnosed illness or service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient medical opinions and lack of documentation in the record regarding the onset or cause of his disabilities. The Veteran will need to undergo further examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to his military service.

The Board has remanded the case due to an error in not considering the Veteran's lay statements regarding his right wrist injuries and symptoms. The case is now back for further review with a new medical opinion.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate development and review of his diagnosed conditions, including shoulder arthritis, hip arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, hemorrhoids, diverticulosis, and chronic constipation.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary for the Veteran's claims of service connection for diabetes, sleep apnea, bilateral upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, and seizures. The claims are being remanded to obtain further medical opinions regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for various upper extremity and shoulder disabilities, as well as a headache disorder. The case is being returned to the RO for further development.

The Veteran's spouse, C.K., was added to his VA disability compensation award effective January 13, 2014. The decision grants the earlier effective date request.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection and increased ratings for bilateral hearing loss, right knee disability, left knee disability, right wrist condition, and left wrist condition due to insufficient evidence or procedural issues.

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the service-connected disabilities granted in his December 2015 rating decision. The Board finds that a remand is necessary to verify the dates of active-duty service prior to September 23, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C was denied as the evidence did not support a finding that his condition began during active service or is related to an in-service injury.,The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for degenerative joint disease of the left wrist with osteopenia was also denied, as the evidence did not show ankylosis or other functional equivalent of ankylosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to additional development being required, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his service connection claims and exposure to environmental hazards.

The Board denied service connection for a lower back disability, left wrist disability, neck disability, and left shoulder disability. Service connection was granted for tinnitus.,Service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions is not supported by evidence of record.

The appeal concerning entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is dismissed as moot.,Service connection granted for tinnitus, with the Veteran having a current diagnosis and in-service incurrence.