Wrist & hand decisions — 2023

The Board has decided to remand the claims for additional medical evaluation due to a worsening of the disabilities since the last examinations. The Veteran's right upper extremity disabilities need further assessment.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for sleep apnea, deviated septum, cervical spine disorder, carpal tunnel syndrome, and migraine headaches due to untimely Notice of Disagreement (NOD) filed more than one year after notification of the February 2016 rating decision.

The Board has remanded several claims for further development due to receipt of additional VA medical records. The Veteran and his representative have not waived initial AOJ consideration of this new evidence, so the appeal is returned to the AOJ for reconsideration.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for left and right shoulder disabilities, left and right wrist disabilities, blurred vision, and chronic fatigue syndrome are denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or causal relationship to service.

The Veteran is entitled to retroactive CRDP compensation payments for the periods from March 1, 2010, through May 31, 2012, and July 19, 2012, through April 30, 2014. However, it is unclear if he received the full amount of VA compensation benefits he was entitled to for the period prior to March 1, 2010.

The Veteran's HIV and bilateral upper and lower extremity peripheral neuropathies are denied as they do not meet the criteria for service connection due to a dishonorable discharge from active duty. The sinus disability claim is also denied.,Service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, right; left, PTSD, and head trauma secondary to PTSD are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's hypertension is granted as due to presumed in-service herbicide exposure. The Board finds that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether the Veteran's other musculoskeletal conditions are attributable to his conceded in-service exposure to toxic herbicide agents.

An effective date of March 26, 2015 was granted for a 10 percent disability rating for asthma.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claim for an increased rating in excess of 10 percent for arthritis of the right wrist due to outstanding VA treatment records and the need for a retrospective medical opinion regarding functional loss during flare-ups.

The Board has denied service connection for various knee, arm, shoulder, and wrist disorders due to the lack of current diagnoses in the record.

The Board has dismissed all service connection claims for various conditions involving the Veteran's wrists, thumbs, and shin. The decision is due to the Veteran's death.

The Veteran requested to withdraw their appeals for the issues of entitlement to a compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, right wrist condition, right shoulder condition, left knee condition, and low back condition. The Board has dismissed these appeals as per the Veteran's request.

The Veteran's right hand condition, thoracolumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of the bilateral lower extremities, and bilateral knee disability are all granted. The Veteran is also awarded a higher rating for his service-connected right hand condition.

The Board denied a claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for the residuals of a right wrist fracture as of December 22, 2015 and denied a request for an effective date prior to December 22, 2015.

Entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss is granted.,The Veteran's PTSD disability rating is remanded due to lack of recent examination.,The Veteran's left shoulder and right shoulder disabilities are remanded as the VA opinion did not address combat participation.,The Veteran's left wrist disability is remanded as the VA opinion did not address combat participation.,The Veteran's back disability is remanded as the VA opinion did not address combat participation.,The Veteran's left leg and left ankle disabilities are remanded as the VA opinion did not address combat participation.,,

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that the evidence is approximately evenly balanced as to whether this disability began during active service. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral wrist disability and right knee disability due to insufficient evidence regarding their onset in service. The Veteran is required to undergo an examination to determine if he currently has a bilateral wrist disability, including osteoarthritis of the wrists, and whether his current right knee disability is related to falls aboard the ship during service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus, carpal tunnel syndrome of both upper extremities, and hernias due to incomplete STRs and lack of medical evidence on record.

The Board has granted service connection for right and left carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that the Veteran's symptoms started in service and are related to his military duties.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed as she has withdrawn her appeal.