Wrist & hand decisions — 2024

The Board denied service connection for sleep apnea and left wrist disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link between these conditions and military service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding service connection for lumbosacral strain, right shoulder disorder, and right wrist disorder before the Board could make a decision.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to inadequate examination reports and the need to consider secondary service connection.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right wrist arthritis and right ankle sprain are being remanded due to inadequate medical examination. The effective dates for the grants of service connection will be determined based on the date of receipt of the intent to file.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for an increased rating for right chronic wrist sprain, a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss, and service connection for thoracolumbar strain and thoracic scoliosis (claimed as upper back condition).

The Board has determined that the VA examinations provided were inadequate and remanded for further examination to determine if the Veteran has current diagnoses for his claimed disabilities, including pain with functional impairment. The claims are being returned to the AOJ for these additional evaluations.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of both upper extremities due to a lack of a VA medical opinion addressing the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his service-connected left wrist scar was denied as the scar does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating due to its size and lack of pain or instability.

The Board denied service connection for left and right elbow conditions, but granted service connection for left foot, left wrist, and left knee conditions.,Service connection was established for the Veteran's left foot condition, bilateral wrist conditions, and left knee condition.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings and service connection claims are being remanded due to the need for additional medical records and examinations.,The Board will consider all of the Veteran's current manifestations of his conditions during the entire period on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including retrospective opinions on the severity of his disabilities during flare-ups and repetitive use.

The Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a right upper extremity nerve condition (claimed as carpal tunnel syndrome) and obstructive sleep apnea are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right wrist disability, including pain and a condition affecting his thumb, is related to an injury he sustained during active military service. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's service-connected hypertension is granted an initial rating of 10 percent. The Board has remanded the remaining issues for further development and consideration.

The Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for left wrist arthritis, right wrist arthritis, left hand arthritis, and right hand arthritis due to a lack of current diagnosed disabilities. The Veteran's headaches are also being remanded due to inadequate VA examination.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of a VA examination for the right wrist strain, and thus any evidence not considered in the initial decision is now available.

The Veteran's service-connected coronary artery disease, lumbar strain with degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine, hypertension, hemorrhoids, residuals of a fracture of the left wrist, iliotibial strain of the right knee with degenerative joint disease, Graves' disease and irritable bowel syndrome and gastroenteritis have been granted increased ratings. TDIU, SMC based on housebound criteria, and basic eligibility for DEA have also been granted effective as of May 23, 2017.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for service connection of left and right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, resulting in the dismissal of these claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, right ear hearing loss, thyroid disorder, and right wrist arthritis have been denied. The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right ear hearing loss has also been denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for left hip disorder, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy remains pending as the case is being remanded to consider these issues.