Wrist & hand decisions — 2024

Service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist, lumbosacral strain, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is denied.,Service connection for tension headaches remains pending as it has been remanded.

The Board has granted the readjudication of previously denied claims for service connection for various disabilities, including an acquired psychiatric disorder and multiple musculoskeletal issues. The cases are now remanded for further examination to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration, including obtaining a VA examination to address the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right ankle disorder and bilateral wrist disorder.

The Board denied compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for bilateral wrist disability and dismissed the issue of whether the Veteran is competent to manage VA benefits.

The Veteran's right shoulder strain, impingement syndrome and rotator cuff tendonitis are found to be service-connected. The lumbar spine disorder is denied as there is no current diagnosis prior to the filing of the claim. Other conditions such as painful scars, hand disorders, elbow disorders, knee disorders, traumatic brain injury, vertigo, cervical spine disorder, wrist disorders, arm disorders, hip disorders, shin disorders, ankle disorders, and foot disorders are also denied.

The Board has remanded several service connection claims for further development, including those for pes planus, left wrist cyst disability, gastrointestinal disability (separate from chronic constipation), cardiovascular disability, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), fatigue disability, headache disability, left knee disability, back disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, and right wrist disability. The gastrointestinal claim was expanded to include any gastrointestinal disability separate from the already service-connected chronic constipation.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome in both left and right hands have been withdrawn by the Veteran. The Board has dismissed these appeals.

The Veteran's right wrist scar, which developed during service, is granted as service connected.

The Veteran's headaches are rated at 30 percent, which is the maximum rating available under current criteria.,Her carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist (minor) and right wrist (major) are both rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for rhinitis is granted, while the claims for sinusitis, myopia, cervical spine disability with arthritis, erectile dysfunction, left ankle sprain and Achilles tendon disability, left shoulder sprain, right shoulder sprain, pulled groin, left knee strain, right knee strain, bilateral plantar fasciitis, right ankle sprain and Achilles tendon disability, left carpal tunnel disability, right carpal tunnel disability, left upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (claimed as nerve damage), right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy (claimed as nerve damage), left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (claimed as nerve damage), and right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy (claimed as nerve damage) are denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae is also denied.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal through their authorized representative.

The Board has remanded the cases due to incomplete medical records and unclear physician information. The Veteran's claims for bilateral lung disability and carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity will be reconsidered after obtaining additional relevant records.

The Veteran's claim for a TDIU was denied as his service-connected disabilities did not meet the schedular criteria, and no extraschedular rating was granted. The Board found that the evidence did not establish he is unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU, including obtaining a retrospective medical opinion regarding right wrist symptoms of malunion or nonunion and instability. The issues are inextricably intertwined and must be remanded together.

The Board has determined that there are pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors in the claims for a compensable rating for service-connected left wrist ganglion cyst and a disability rating in excess of 30 percent for service-connected asthma. The claims are being remanded to obtain additional evaluations.

The Board has dismissed the claim for service connection of vertigo due to its full grant in a prior decision. Service connection is granted for low back disability, and the claims for left knee, left wrist, and left foot calcaneal spurs are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development to obtain medical opinions regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities, including left ankle, right and left wrist, bilateral hearing loss, and tinnitus. The claims are being returned to the AOJ for further action.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and missing medical records, requiring a new evaluation of whether the Veteran developed additional disability following a delay in necessary treatment after his December 16, 2016, fall and initial treatment.

The Board has dismissed all appeals for initial compensable ratings and service connection due to the appellant's withdrawal of the appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to incomplete medical opinions and a lack of VA examinations. The issues include vision disability, right wrist condition, left wrist condition, right elbow condition, and tinnitus.