Wrist & hand decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and therefore the claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) was denied.

The Veteran's eligibility for VR&E benefits to cover education expenses incurred while pursuing his DDS degree is granted, as he meets the criteria for an employment handicap and has service-connected disabilities.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ankle and left wrist disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions in the July 2021 decision. The VA will need to schedule examinations to provide updated medical opinions on whether these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's recurrent ankle, foot, and wrist disabilities are being remanded for further examination to determine their relationship to service. The respiratory and sinus disabilities are also being remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection and increased ratings due to insufficient evidence or procedural issues. The Veteran's current conditions have not been fully evaluated, and further examination is needed.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on housebound status is denied because he does not have a single service-connected disability rated at 100 percent, nor has he been awarded a total disability evaluation based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to a single service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on housebound and aid and attendance has been denied as she does not meet the criteria for either benefit due to her service-connected disabilities.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for various wrist and hip conditions, as well as chronic diarrhea and a back condition due to insufficient evidence or inadequate medical opinions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to consider the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and obtain necessary medical records. The claim will be reconsidered under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1728 for reimbursement of unauthorized medical expenses.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome and back strain due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service events are considered, but a VA examination is needed to address the etiology of his current conditions.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to consider the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and obtain necessary medical records. The claim will be reconsidered under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1728.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a failure to consider the Veteran's service-connected disabilities and obtain necessary medical records. The claim will be reconsidered under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1728.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headache disorder and right wrist disability were denied due to her failure to attend scheduled VA examinations. The Board has decided these claims are remanded, requiring the Veteran to be rescheduled for new VA examinations.

The Veteran's ganglion cyst, left wrist, was incurred during a period of INACDUTRA in December 2010. The Board has granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, finding no current disability related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including anxiety, PTSD, depression, allergies, a right leg disability, bilateral shoulder disabilities, carpal tunnel syndrome, hair loss, sleep apnea, and low back and neck disabilities are denied.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for tinnitus is also denied.

Service connection is granted for tinnitus.,Service connection is denied for headache disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, right elbow disability, left elbow disability, right wrist disability, left wrist disability, left hip disability, right hip disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, left ankle disability, and right ankle disability. Service connection is also denied for bilateral foot disability.

The Veteran's claims for leukocytosis, right foot plantar fasciitis, and a right ankle disability are denied. The Veteran's seronegative rheumatoid arthritis, left and right wrist rheumatoid arthritis with osteopenia, left and right knee strain with rheumatoid arthritis, and fibromyalgia are granted as related to in-service bacterial food poisoning. Service connection for hair loss is also granted secondary to service-connected rheumatoid arthritis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral wrist disorder, lumbar spine disorder, and foot disorder due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The issues are related to direct service connection.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received to warrant readjudication of the Veteran's service connection claims for a lumbar spine disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, left wrist disorder (carpal tunnel syndrome), and right wrist disorder (carpal tunnel syndrome). The AOJ is directed to consider these claims in their entirety.