Wrist & hand decisions — 2023

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for right wrist CTS and TDIU from April 6, 2016, to October 30, 2017 are remanded due to the need for updated medical records and examination. The effective date of service connection remains February 14, 2001.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right upper extremity CTS, left upper extremity CTS, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service or exposure to herbicide agents.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and evaluation due to the need for clarification on the nature of his low back, right wrist, left hand/index finger conditions, as well as a possible aggravation by service-connected left shoulder disability. The Veteran also needs an updated VA examination regarding his left hip sprain and migraine headaches.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete records and need for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected right-hand injuries have been granted increased ratings, with the highest rating of 50% for carpal tunnel syndrome and a separate 10% rating for skin scarring.

The Board has remanded the claim of entitlement to a temporary total evaluation for left pectoralis disability prior to February 13, 2017 and beginning May 1, 2017 due to previous remand.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection have been dismissed due to his request for withdrawal of these claims.

The Board has determined that the VA examination provided during the remand was inadequate due to the lack of an electromyography (EMG) test, and thus the case is being returned for further development.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's appeals on service connection claims for migraine headaches, bilateral upper extremity cold weather injury, bilateral lower extremity cold weather injury, bilateral CTS, bilateral shoulder injury, and hypertension due to the Veteran's withdrawal of these issues prior to the promulgation of decisions.

The Veteran's diabetes was not shown as chronic in service and did not manifest to a compensable degree within the applicable presumptive period; continuity of symptomatology is not established; and the disability is not otherwise etiologically related to an in-service injury or disease.,The evidence of record persuasively weighs against finding that the Veteran's BLE peripheral neuropathy began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The evidence of record persuasively weighs against finding that the Veteran's BUE peripheral neuropathy began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.,The evidence of record persuasively weighs against finding that the Veteran has had bilateral CTS at any time during or approximate to the pendency of the claim.,The evidence of record persuasively weighs against finding that the Veteran's bilateral eye conditions began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for left upper extremity cervical radiculopathy is being remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion on the etiology of his median nerve paralysis/carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for further development due to inadequate medical opinions and missing Social Security Administration records. The Veteran is presumed exposed to herbicide agents, which may be related to his upper extremity nerve condition and lower extremity peripheral neuropathy.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his diabetes and kidney issues, required regular aid and attendance. The Board granted SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for right and left wrist disabilities due to insufficient explanation in the previous opinion regarding the Veteran's lay reports of symptoms during service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disability and wrist disability was granted with an effective date of December 28, 2004. Her spouse N. was added as a dependent to her VA benefits on the same day.,Her children D. and J. were also added as dependents to her VA benefits starting from October 1, 2016.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary before the Veteran's claims can be adjudicated. The missing records are of particular importance as they may clarify the cause of the Veteran's diffuse musculoskeletal pain, and the outstanding National Guard and SSA records may contain evidence relevant to the pending claims.

The Board has granted service connection for right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, and pinguecula. The remaining issues on appeal are remanded.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for back disability, right lower extremity radiculopathy (claimed as numbness), left lower extremity radiculopathy (claimed as numbness), right shoulder disability, and left shoulder disability are dismissed.,The Veteran's claim to reopen entitlement to service connection for bilateral pes planus is reopened.,The Veteran's claim to reopen entitlement to service connection for right knee disability is reopened.,The Veteran's claim to reopen entitlement to service connection for left knee disability (claimed as chronic knee strain post fracture of the left lateral femoral condyle) is reopened.,The Veteran's claim to reopen entitlement to service connection for right shin splint disability is reopened.,The Veteran's claim to reopen entitlement to service connection for left shin splint disability is reopened.,The Veteran's claim to reopen entitlement to service connection for right wrist disability is reopened.

The Veteran's initial claim for a compensable evaluation for surgical scar of the right wrist, other than painful scar was denied. However, the Veteran was granted a separate 10 percent disability rating for his painful scar on the right wrist effective October 13, 2017.

The Veteran's service connection claims for PTSD, left carpal tunnel syndrome, hypertension, and lumbar spine disorder were denied. The claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (other than PTSD) was granted.