Wrist & hand decisions — 2023

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of right wrist, chest shell fragment wounds, and left index finger scar have been denied. The case is remanded for further development.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or by reason of being housebound due to his service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not establish that he is in need of the regular aid and attendance of another person, is permanently bedridden, is substantially confined to his home or immediate premises, or has a single service-connected disability rated 100 percent and a separate service-connected disability or disabilities independently rated 60 percent or more.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for GERD as secondary to his allergic rhinitis and/or asthma with obstructive sleep apnea, and denied a rating higher than 10 percent for his right wrist disability. The evidence did not support the Veteran's contention that his GERD was caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a right wrist disability is denied. The rating for his right knee laxity associated with retropatellar pain syndrome prior to April 29, 2022 and in excess of 20 percent thereafter is also denied.

The Board has found that the Veteran's bilateral eye condition resulting from Hepatitis C exposure is not service-connected. The claims for increased ratings and service connection for left wrist and left knee conditions are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to procedural errors in recognizing the Veteran's VA Form 10182 and placing his appeal on the AMA Hearing Lane. The Veteran's appeal should be restored under the legacy system, and procedurally, is in an appellate posture where the Veteran is awaiting issuance of a Statement of the Case (SOC) that readjudicates all issues on appeal.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's right wrist disability claims, including obtaining a VA examination to assess the current severity of his service-connected conditions and considering any flare-ups. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient VA medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's left wrist and hand disabilities. The case is now pending for further review.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic right wrist sprain has been granted. The Board also found that the Veteran is entitled to an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for peripheral vestibular damage with vertigo of the left ear from October 2, 2013, through October 1, 2019, and an initial rating in excess of 30 percent thereafter.

The Board has remanded the cases of bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and right knee disability for further development, including obtaining an addendum opinion on the etiology of the Veteran's conditions.

The Board has denied service connection for various ankle, knee, leg, hip, shoulder, elbow, wrist, and arm disabilities on the grounds that there is no evidence of their onset in service or a relationship to any service-connected conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional treatment records, including those from WVU Medicine and any other relevant private or VA records.

The Board has found that further development is necessary and the case is remanded to ensure compliance with prior remand instructions. The Veteran's knee conditions, including left and right knee degenerative arthritis, as well as De Quervain's tenosynovitis of the left wrist, are all on appeal for increased ratings. Additionally, there is a claim for an earlier effective date for TDIU based on his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome (left upper extremity) as secondary to multiple sclerosis, and initial evaluations for migraines including migraine variants and anxiety disorder have been denied. The Veteran was granted an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for his anxiety disorder prior to November 8, 2017, and a higher evaluation from that date.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome as secondary to his service-connected cervical spine disability and/or right shoulder disability is being remanded due to the need for a supplemental medical opinion addressing whether these disabilities alternatively aggravate the Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to discrepancies in her active duty dates and outstanding medical records. The issues include back disability, depression, vertigo, migraines, bilateral wrist pain, right foot disability, and left eye disability.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating of his disabilities due to conflicting findings in a previous VA examination, lack of relevant medical records, and new evidence received since the last supplemental statement of the case.

The Board has determined that the reduction of the Veteran's right wrist condition from 30% to 10% was improper and is void ab initio. The claim for an increased rating for her right wrist condition, claimed as carpal tunnel syndrome, is remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional development to include obtaining a VA examination and readjudication of her claims.

The Board has granted service connection for a right wrist disability, finding that the evidence is in approximate balance as to whether the Veteran's current condition is related to his military service.