Wrist & hand decisions — 2023

The appeal of TDIU prior to September 6, 2019 is dismissed as moot due to the grant of benefits at the start of the appeal period. The SAH and SHA claims are remanded for additional development.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for left and right wrist disabilities due to the need for further development, including a medical examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for back, left wrist, and right wrist disabilities due to inadequate consideration of VA examinations and the need for additional evidence. The Veteran is also required to undergo a Persian Gulf War examination.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea, but the other issues related to hearing loss, wrist disorder, foot disorder, asthma, and COPD are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development due to insufficient medical opinions and the need to obtain private treatment records.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for back disorder and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome due to a lack of available service treatment records. The RO must attempt to obtain these records, and if they are not found, the Veteran will be scheduled for VA examinations to determine whether his current conditions had their origin in service.

The Board has granted service connection for a cervical spine disability, but has remanded the claim for secondary service connection of a left wrist disorder due to right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has granted service connection for right thumb/wrist joint pain, left thumb/wrist joint pain, and right elbow joint pain as incurred during the Veteran's Persian Gulf service. Service connection was denied for other conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and determining the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus did not begin in service or within a presumptive period, and was not noted in service with continuity of symptomatology since service. The right-hand disability (claimed as arthritis), right shoulder disability, left hip disability, left arm disability (claimed as carpal tunnel syndrome), sciatica of both legs, and dental deformity are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Board has remanded the cases due to insufficient evidence regarding the Veteran's bilateral wrist disabilities and a need for further development.

The Board has dismissed all issues related to the Veteran's claims as they have become moot due to his death. The appeal is not about service connection and thus no rating or effective date was assigned.

The Board has remanded the claims for lumbar spine disability, right ankle disability, and bilateral hearing loss due to incomplete service records. The Veteran's periods of active duty with the Michigan Army National Guard need to be verified.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him incapable of performing the activities of daily living and require regular aid and attendance, leading to a grant of special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance.