Wrist & hand decisions — 2023

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and providing information about the qualifications of the VA examiners who examined him.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral flat feet. The remaining issues of service connection for bilateral foot paresthesias, sinusitis, bilateral wrist disability (CTS), and residuals of right ovarian mass are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings and service connection has been remanded due to the need for additional development. The Board is not able to determine if a rating in excess of 20 percent is warranted for his left wrist peripheral nerve disability or if a rating in excess of 10 percent is warranted for his left wrist scars.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral wrist, left elbow, and right elbow disorders have been remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board denied service connection for right and left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome as the evidence did not support a finding of in-service incurrence or continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for heart disability, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left carpal tunnel syndrome, traumatic brain injury, and polyarthropathy are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development of records.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for the right knee disability, lumbar spine disability, and left upper extremity CTS were denied as there was no factual evidence of a worsening in symptoms prior to January 17, 2018.,An effective date of January 17, 2018 was assigned for all claims due to the Veteran's formal claim being received within one year of his Intent to File.

The Veteran requested to withdraw his appeal for a rating in excess of 10 percent for right wrist postoperative residuals, and the Board has dismissed this claim.

The Veteran's appeal to reopen a claim of entitlement to service connection for cervical strain based on the receipt of new and material evidence is granted. The issues of service connection for PTSD, left carpal tunnel syndrome, right carpal tunnel syndrome, hemorrhoids, right hallux valgus, left hallux valgus, lumbar disc disease and strain, degenerative joint disease of the left knee, right knee tendonitis, and generalized anxiety disorder are all remanded.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including stomach ulcers, prostate cancer residuals, anxiety and panic attacks, arthritis of the lower back, vision problems, umbilical hernia, high blood pressure, bilateral hand carpal tunnel syndrome, and arthritis of the knees. The evidence does not establish a link between these conditions and active service.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed residuals of frostbite and carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis is granted service connection, while his depression and insomnia are denied. Service connection for left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome remains denied.

The Veteran's initial service connection claims for right knee tendonitis/tendinosis, left knee tendonitis/tendinosis, left humerus residuals of fracture, and left wrist sprain have been granted. However, the assigned ratings need to be remanded due to inadequate medical examinations conducted in August 2022.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a head injury with headaches was reopened and granted.,Service connection was denied for left wrist ganglion cyst and right wrist ganglion cyst.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right wrist, right knee, and left knee disabilities due to a lack of recent VA examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to June 14, 2010, finding that her service-connected disabilities did not prevent her from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for a psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, left wrist condition, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, and headache condition due to inadequate medical opinions. The VA examiner is requested to address the Veteran's lay testimony of having experienced symptoms in service and since service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right wrist, ankle, knee, hip, left knee, back, sciatica, and psychiatric disorders are all denied as there is no persuasive evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including carpal tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine, testicular mass, allergic rhinitis, and TMJ disorder with teeth grinding, are being remanded for further evaluation due to recent complaints from the Veteran.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for pes planus and right wrist degenerative arthritis, finding that there is no evidence of a direct relationship to service.