Wrist & hand decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for a higher rating for his right wrist disability and TDIU prior to November 18, 2008 are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's right wrist disability, which included painful motion and stiffness, was granted a 10 percent rating prior to June 9, 2017. The appeal for a higher rating on or after that date is denied.

The Veteran's claims for right wrist, right hand, fractured rib residuals, gastrointestinal disability (claimed as gastritis), and migraine disabilities are being remanded due to the need for additional development of medical records.

The Board has remanded the issues of increased ratings for bilateral knee conditions and service connection for right wrist, right hand, and left shoulder conditions due to additional development being needed.

The Veteran's right hand disability, including all associated conditions, is rated at the highest possible level of 50 percent for the entire initial rating period on appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to potential Gulf War exposure, and a new VA examination is needed to determine if his symptoms are related to active service.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome and bilateral lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to Agent Orange exposure during service. A VA examination is needed to determine if these conditions are related to herbicide agent exposure.

The Veteran's claim for a rating of 50 percent for headaches has been granted. Other claims have been reopened and are pending further review.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations and development of her claims for increased rating for service-connected persistent depressive disorder and service connection for a left wrist condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased rating of left wrist disorder, service connection for migraine headaches, and service connection for lumbosacral strain have all been denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for the left wrist disorder or service connection for the other two conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that there was insufficient evidence to establish a causal relationship between his claimed condition and either active service or a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete medical examinations and opinions. The issues are related to service connection for wrist and shoulder disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for left hand carpal tunnel syndrome and left foot neuropathy as secondary to diabetes mellitus type II due to lack of evidence supporting a nexus between the conditions and service-connected diabetes.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right knee, left knee, and right wrist conditions due to inadequate examination in prior decisions.

The Board has determined that another remand is necessary to obtain a proper medical opinion regarding the Veteran's claimed TBI and its relationship to service, specifically an injury to the nose in 1998.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded due to the need for a comprehensive VA examination considering all of his service-connected conditions, including those not previously considered in the previous examinations.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher rating has been withdrawn by his representative, and the Board is dismissing the case as it no longer has jurisdiction.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient evidence regarding whether the Veteran's left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome is secondary to his service-connected right wrist disabilities, including a fracture with degenerative arthritis and gamekeeper's thumb reconstruction.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right wrist condition, finding that there is no evidence of an in-service injury or occurrence and insufficient medical opinion to establish a nexus between the current disability and service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for a left wrist disability and PTSD. However, further development is needed as there are outstanding VA treatment records and stressor verification required.