Wrist & hand decisions — 2024

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral hand disability, bilateral shoulder disability, bilateral knee disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and headache disability as the evidence did not support that any of these disabilities began during active service or were otherwise related to an in-service injury or disease.

The Veteran withdrew their appeal for an increased rating in excess of 30 percent for status post scapholunate repair with ankylosis, right wrist, effective November 12, 2019.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions including an acquired psychiatric disorder, residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI), headaches, bilateral eye refractive error, cervical spine disorder, bilateral shoulder disorder, bilateral hip/thigh disorder, bilateral upper and lower extremity nerve damage, bilateral ankle disorder, bilateral plantar fasciitis, and dry skin disorder. The denial is based on the lack of diagnosed conditions in service or recent to the filing of the claim.

The Board has dismissed the appeals seeking service connection for right hand/wrist and left knee conditions as they were already pending further development.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected allergic rhinitis. Service connection for PTSD, adjustment disorder with anxious mood and/or depressed mood, and any other mental disorders are denied due to lack of a formal DSM-5 diagnosis during the pendency of the claim.

The Veteran's appeal for an initial rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD has been denied. The Board also remanded several other issues, including service connection claims for various conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service connection claims for right wrist, bilateral index finger and thumb disabilities are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's claims for service connection have been remanded due to new and relevant evidence received. The Board finds that the Veteran has a back condition, right shoulder condition, left shoulder condition, right wrist condition, left wrist condition, and asthma related to his military service.

The Veteran's initial ratings for his right knee, left knee, left wrist, and left thumb disabilities have been denied as they do not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, right wrist disability, and left wrist disability due to a lack of evidence showing the presence of these conditions during or within one year after service. The Veteran's statements were not considered sufficient to establish current diagnoses.

The Veteran's migraine headaches are granted service connection as they manifested within one year of separation from service. Service connection for the left wrist disability is denied.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, diabetes mellitus, and bilateral leg swelling due to exposure to herbicide agents. The claims were based on direct evidence rather than presumptive exposure.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as there was no evidence of ankylosis or neurological impairment, and the functional loss due to pain did not warrant a higher rating.

The Veteran's son A. was recognized as a helpless child for VA purposes, and the effective date of February 5, 2013, is granted for additional dependency benefits based on this recognition.

The Board granted service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected disabilities.

The Board has granted service connection for left hip osteoarthritis, bilateral metatarsalgia, and left leg varicose veins. Service connection was denied for left hand CTS and right hand CTS.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are remanded due to the need for VA examinations to determine if his claimed disabilities are related to his active duty service in the Southwest Asia theater of operations or to his participation in a TERA.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right wrist disabilities due to insufficient medical opinion regarding their etiology.

The Veteran's left carpal tunnel syndrome is rated at a 20 percent disability evaluation, effective September 14, 2021.,Service connection for tinnitus has been granted.

The Board has denied service connection for a right knee disorder and remanded the claim of service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome due to insufficient evidence.