Wrist & hand decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings for left wrist, elbow tendonitis, knee degenerative joint disease, and instability have been denied. The Board found no evidence of a chronic left wrist disability in service or otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's left wrist ganglion cyst and right knee post meniscectomy and arthroplasty status post total revision have been rated at 10 percent. The Veteran's left wrist condition has not met the criteria for a higher rating, while his right knee condition has not met the criteria for an increased rating.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy and a bilateral hand condition (other than CTS), including numbness and arthritis.

The Veteran's unauthorized medical expenses incurred at Tulane University Hospital on February 8, 2014 are granted for treatment of right arm and wrist pain due to an emergent condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The evidence did not establish a nexus between these conditions and active service.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings of heart disability, right elbow disability, and bilateral hearing loss have been dismissed. The appeal for service connection of a right-hand disability is remanded due to conflicting medical opinions.

The Veteran has withdrawn her appeals for service connection and TDIU related to low back condition, hypertension, breast cancer, type II diabetes mellitus, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome affecting both upper extremities, and entitlement to a total disability evaluation due to individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his left wrist, hand, and hip disabilities due to incomplete development.

The Board has remanded the claims for hernia, low back condition, TBI, right ankle disability, and right wrist disability due to lack of substantial compliance with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's claims for various conditions are being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for a thoracolumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, carpal tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity, and carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity due to potential service connection issues related to aggravation.

The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the bilateral upper extremities is currently rated as 10 percent disabling. The Board has denied an increased rating for these conditions, finding that they do not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left wrist disability was denied as the evidence did not show that the condition warranted a higher rating.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claims can be adjudicated due to inadequate VA examinations and medical opinions. The claims for service connection for left hip, right hip, left wrist, and right wrist disabilities are remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding service connection for left wrist disability and left wrist surgical scar. The TDIU issue remains before the Board.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee, shoulder, and left wrist disabilities due to new and material evidence. However, these claims are still pending as they have been remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased ratings due to additional evidence being added to the record.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral wrist and hand sprains due to incomplete medical opinions. The Veteran's service connection claim is being reviewed again with a focus on whether his current conditions are related to his in-service fall, as well as any potential secondary or aggravating effects from his service-connected degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine and bilateral knees.

The Veteran's application to reopen claims for service connection for cervical spine arthritis, lumbar spine arthritis, disc bulges, and right ankle arthritis was dismissed. The appeals for seborrheic dermatitis, right knee disability, TMJ, and major depressive disorder were granted.,The Veteran is now entitled to an increased rating of 40 percent for his right foot disability, a 50 percent rating for his right wrist degenerative arthritis from April 26, 2016, and a TDIU from August 8, 2016 to October 19, 2020.

The Board has denied service connection for left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, finding no evidence of its onset in service or a relationship to the Veteran's service-connected residuals of laceration to his left fifth finger. Service connection is granted for neurological residuals of the laceration affecting the left little finger.