Wrist & hand decisions — 2024

The Veteran's right and left upper extremity radiculopathy with carpal tunnel syndrome are currently rated at 20 percent each, but the Board finds that higher ratings are not warranted.,Service connection for female sexual arousal disorder (FSAD) is denied.

The Board dismissed all appeals related to various conditions as the Veteran withdrew his appeal prior to a decision being made.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for hemorrhoids and high blood pressure have been denied. The Board has remanded the claims of entitlement to service connection for a right leg condition, right wrist condition, and lumbosacral strain.,The VA examination scheduled for the Veteran will address his right leg condition.

The Veteran's service-connected right shoulder disability and right carpal tunnel syndrome have resulted in a disability equivalent to the functional loss of use of the right hand, qualifying him for SMC based on loss of use.,An earlier effective date of September 18, 2017 is granted for both SMC based on aid and attendance and additional SMC.

The Board has remanded the claims for left knee condition, right knee condition, and left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran's symptoms of knee pain and left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome are being evaluated again by VA examiners.

The Veteran's arthritis, bilateral knees and carpal tunnel were not found to be related to service. The Board determined that the evidence did not support a finding of in-service onset or connection.,The Veteran's emphysema was attributed to her smoking habit rather than exposure during service.

The Board has determined that the VA examination and opinions are inadequate for all issues on appeal, particularly regarding the etiology of peripheral neuropathy, essential tremor, and CTS. The Veteran's exposure to herbicide agents is presumed, but further medical examinations and opinions are needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's cholesterol, right wrist arthritis, left ankle disability, and blood condition were not incurred during active duty service.,The Veteran's bilateral shoulder arthritis, left wrist arthritis, right ankle disability, and left arm scar pain do not have a current diagnosis.

The Veteran's appeal for an earlier effective date for service connection of left wrist strain was dismissed because the Veteran attempted to concurrently appeal through two separate lanes, violating procedural rules.

The Veteran's left hip condition is currently rated at 10 percent, and the claim for a higher rating remains denied.,The Veteran's right wrist condition is currently rated at 10 percent, and the claim for a higher rating remains denied. The Veteran also seeks service connection for left knee pain secondary to his left hip condition.

The Board dismissed the appeal as to the proposal to reduce the rating for service-connected right-handed carpal tunnel syndrome. The Veteran's tinnitus, bilateral hearing loss, and painful scars of the hands were all denied or granted with specific ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including TMJ, bilateral CTS, and gynecological conditions, prevented her from securing or following substantially gainful employment prior to July 29, 2019.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to a duty to assist error, specifically failing to notify the Veteran of scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's left ovarian cyst is denied an initial compensable disability rating as it does not require continuous treatment and her symptoms are mild and intermittent.,The Veteran's right wrist chronic sprain is denied a higher than 10 percent disability rating due to lack of evidence of ankylosis, despite her complaints of constant pain.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for PTSD, arthritis of the spine, a right wrist disorder, and a right foot disorder due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various disabilities, including cervical spine disability, right shoulder disability, right wrist disability, right hand disability, respiratory disability other than obstructive sleep apnea, and headache disability. The claims are being remanded to allow for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for jock itch (tinea cruris) has been denied as there is no persuasive evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service incurrence.,Service connection for left-sided and right-sided hernias, pseudo folliculitis of the face, pseudo folliculitis of the neck, lumbar spine disability, sciatic radicular pain and paresthesia of the lower extremities, left foot bunion, right foot bunion, toenail fungus and tinea pedis, left foot pes planus, right foot pes planus, left ankle disability, right ankle disability, osteoarthritis of the hips, left wrist disability, and right wrist disability has also been denied as there is no persuasive evidence of a current diagnosis or in-service incurrence.,The Veteran's service treatment records are silent regarding any complaints or diagnoses related to these conditions. Post-service medical records do not provide evidence of current diagnoses for any of the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were granted, and the effective date is set at December 7, 2018.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection for his bilateral wrist disabilities as freestanding claims are not allowed once a final decision on service connection is made.

The Veteran withdrew all outstanding appeals, including those related to the conditions listed above.