Wrist & hand decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for radiculopathy of the upper extremities and carpal tunnel syndrome of both wrists due to a failure to obtain or provide an adequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions, including diabetes, stroke, and vision problems, have prevented him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment from July 1, 2019, to February 16, 2022.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, including a right shoulder disability, right wrist and left wrist disabilities, right hand and left hand disabilities, cervical spine disability, and spinal meningitis. The appeals are being returned to the agency of original jurisdiction (AOJ) for further development.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and an addendum opinion to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed conditions, specifically focusing on service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension and left wrist disability due to incomplete VA examinations, failure to address pre-treatment blood pressure readings, and concerns about functional loss. The private treatment records need to be obtained.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status is being remanded due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Board finds that medical clarification is required regarding whether the Veteran needs regular aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been denied. The Board found that the Veteran does not have current right ear or left ear hearing loss to a level recognized as a ratable disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Board has granted service connection for left carpal tunnel syndrome and neck disability, finding that the evidence is approximately balanced in favor of these conditions being related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings on multiple conditions is remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and records. The issues include tinnitus, major depressive disorder (MDD), lumbar degenerative disc disease (DDD), right lower extremity radiculopathy, right wrist sprain, right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, left knee patellofemoral pain syndrome, and TDIU.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral hand or wrist disability, to include carpal tunnel syndrome, and for left knee condition. The Board found no evidence of an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions, and concluded that there is insufficient medical evidence to establish a nexus between current disabilities and service.

The Board has granted an effective date of March 29, 1995 for the grant of service connection for PTSD. The Veteran's earlier claim for pension benefits included a mention of these conditions and was considered to be an informal claim for service connection.

The Board has denied service connection for a left elbow disability and bilateral hearing loss. The claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral feet condition, respiratory condition, migraines, and right wrist condition are being remanded for further development.,No specific exposure basis or service connection theory was provided in the decision.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraines and right hip pain, combined to render her unable to secure and maintain a substantially gainful occupation. As such, she is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including migraines and right hip pain, are found to render her unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome has rendered him unable to secure and follow a substantially gainful occupation, warranting a TDIU effective January 28, 2021.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a penile disability and right wrist disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and clarifying exposure history.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for increased ratings of his bilateral wrist strains/sprains, and the Board has dismissed these claims.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, sleep apnea, migraines, right shoulder disability, neck strain, and bilateral wrist disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions and other procedural errors.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete examinations and unverified contact information. The issues include an increased rating for right wrist disability, service connection for a psychiatric disorder, and service connection for low libido/low testosterone and erectile dysfunction.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to clarify the Veteran's diagnoses and determine if his disabilities are related to service. The appeal will be remanded for further development.