Wrist & hand decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claim for service connection for vertigo was denied as there is no medical evidence showing a current diagnosis of vertigo related to service.,A 70 percent rating for PTSD was granted, effective from February 5, 2020.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are being remanded due to pre-decisional duty to assist errors. The AOJ is instructed to schedule the Veteran for a VA examination to determine the current severity of his service-connected bilateral knee disorders, and to consider referral for extraschedular TDIU under 38 C.F.R. § 4.16(b).

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial compensable rating were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for migraines or right wrist fracture residuals, and there was no hammertoes on all toes of the left foot during the appeal period.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a right wrist disability has been withdrawn by the appellant, resulting in its dismissal.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU and DEA benefits prior to December 7, 2020 is denied as there was no formal or informal claim received prior to that date. The effective dates for the TDIU and DEA benefits are both set at December 7, 2020.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right ankle and right wrist disabilities are not related to service, as there is no evidence of a nexus between his current diagnoses and any in-service injury or disease.,Both conditions were diagnosed many years after service, with no contemporaneous records indicating symptoms during active duty.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection due to inadequate opinions regarding aggravation of his conditions by his service-connected disabilities. The Veteran is required to be provided with new VA examinations addressing these issues.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions have been dismissed due to their death.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for service connection due to procedural issues and lack of merit in his arguments.

The Veteran's request for HLR of his service connection claims for right wrist and sleep apnea disabilities was untimely and denied.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal, which was confirmed by her representative. The Board dismissed the appeal as a result.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for ulnar nerve transposition (non-dominant) with carpal tunnel syndrome is being remanded due to the AOJ not having considered all submitted private treatment records.

The Veteran's TDIU for PTSD is granted, and he also receives SMC Housebound based on his combined disability rating of 100 percent.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a duty-to-assist error and will consider whether an extraschedular rating is warranted for the Veteran's left wrist disability.

The Veteran's burn scars and right shoulder scar are not rated as compensable, while the DJD of the lumbar spine is remanded for further examination.

The Board has determined that the case must be remanded due to inadequate examinations and opinions provided by VA. The Veteran's right wrist disability, including neurological symptoms, needs to be re-evaluated for a proper rating determination.

The Board has determined that there were pre-decisional duty to assist errors and remands the case for further development, including obtaining private treatment records and a clarifying opinion regarding the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right wrist disorder.

The Board has granted earlier effective dates of August 8, 2019 for service connection of lumbar spine degenerative disc disease, right wrist sprain, and left wrist sprain. The effective dates are based on the date of receipt of the Veteran's claim within one year after separation from active service.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome as there is no evidence that the condition began during active service or is otherwise related to an in-service injury.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, knee, wrist, and ankle conditions due to unclear dates of active duty.