Wrist & hand decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not meet the criteria for a current disability.,Service connection has been granted for tinnitus, with the presumption of service connection due to its chronic nature and continuity of symptoms since service.

The Veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for residuals of left-hand/wrist carpal tunnel syndrome was remanded due to the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether his current symptoms are related to VA care, and for obtaining the full informed consent document from his surgery.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his right hand and wrist conditions, have rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation. The Board has granted entitlement to a Total Disability Rating due to Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

Service connection for tinnitus is granted.,An effective date earlier than January 30, 2007, for the grant of service connection for a lumbar scar is denied.,Effective dates earlier than September 25, 2018, for the grants of 10% ratings for partial paresthesia and ganglion cyst are denied.

The appeal for service connection for a low back disorder is dismissed.,The appeal for service connection for PTSD is dismissed.,A compensable rating for PTSD from August 21, 2018 to May 2, 2019 is denied.,Service connection for forgetfulness is denied.,Service connection for narcolepsy is denied.,Service connection for a right elbow disorder is denied.,Service connection for a left elbow disorder is denied.,Service connection for a right wrist disorder is denied.,Service connection for a left wrist disorder is denied.,Service connection for a right hip disorder is denied.,Service connection for a left hip disorder is denied.,Service connection for a headache disorder is denied.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to inadequate opinions provided by VA examiners. The issues include right hand, right wrist, back, left knee conditions and sleep apnea.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right wrist, bilateral knee, and right ankle conditions due to insufficient examination findings. The initial compensable rating claim for left inguinal hernia scar remains denied.

The Board denied service connection for right upper extremity neuropathy with carpal tunnel syndrome, left upper extremity neuropathy with carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral hip disabilities, and bilateral ankle disabilities. A total disability rating based upon individual unemployability (TDIU) was granted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to his withdrawal of the claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and information.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to new evidence received, including a VA examination. The issues of service connection for right wrist disability, left wrist disability, and TDIU are being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various disabilities, including back, left hip, right hip, left hand and wrist, right hand and wrist, left foot, and right foot disabilities. The appeals are pending resolution.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for OSA, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, a skin disability including sebaceous cyst and benign growth of the right hand, and a right ankle disability has been denied.,There is no current diagnosis of these conditions in the record. The Board finds that the evidence does not support finding that any of these conditions began during service or are related to an in-service injury, event, or disease.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for a left wrist disability, finding that her current condition is related to her in-service injury.

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for increased disability ratings for diabetes mellitus II and residuals of a right wrist fracture, resulting in the dismissal of these claims.

The Veteran's PTSD warrants a disability rating of 50 percent, but no higher. The left ear hearing loss does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. Multiple service connection claims are remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to duty-to-assist errors. The issues of prostate, erectile dysfunction, GERD, GI ulcer, and sleep condition are related to the Veteran's in-service stressors or symptoms.,The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable.

The Board has granted service connection for various conditions, including right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, right elbow epicondylitis, right sciatica, and acquired psychiatric disabilities. The Veteran's reports of pain during active duty have been considered, along with her STRs, to find that these conditions are at least as likely as not related to her service.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate examination and incomplete record, requiring further action including obtaining additional medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received sufficient to reopen the claim for entitlement to service connection for a low back condition. The claims for neck, right wrist, right hip, right ankle, and bilateral foot disabilities are remanded for further development.