Wrist & hand decisions — 2024

The Board denied service connection for right hip pain, right shoulder pain, and right wrist pain as there is no evidence of a current disability during or contemporaneous to the pendency of the claim.,VA medical records do not show any diagnosed condition related to right hip pain, right shoulder pain, or right wrist pain.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance, finding that prior to August 13, 2021, there was insufficient evidence showing the Veteran's service-connected disabilities had rendered him permanently bedridden or housebound requiring regular aid and assistance of another person.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum schedular rating under DC 5215 for limitation of motion. The Board denied a higher rating as his condition does not meet criteria for ankylosis or functional equivalent thereof. A separate rating for carpal tunnel syndrome was also denied.

The Veteran's right hand arthritis is granted service connection, while his left hand disability and left shoulder disability are denied. Service connection for nerve disabilities involving the upper extremities (claimed as carpal tunnel syndrome) is also denied.

The Veteran's appeal for earlier effective dates and increased ratings has been dismissed due to his death.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Obstructive Sleep Apnea is not causally related to his service-connected disabilities, but may have been aggravated by them. The Board also found that obesity, which may be linked to his service-connected disabilities, was a substantial factor in causing his sleep apnea. As such, the issue must be remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy, including carpal tunnel syndrome, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected right and left shoulder strain disabilities.

The Veteran's PTSD is currently rated at 50 percent, and the Board denied a higher rating.,The Veteran's TDIU claim was also denied as his service-connected disabilities do not render him unemployable.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error, specifically failing to provide a VA examination for the claimed left hand neuropathy condition. The Veteran's service connection claim is now pending again.

The Veteran is granted an annual VA clothing allowance for a back brace used due to her service-connected strain with intervertebral disc syndrome. The Veteran's claim for bilateral wrist braces is denied as she does not have a current service-connected disability affecting both wrists.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the Veteran's right hand strain disability prior to November 4, 2021. The claim of service connection for right wrist disability is remanded due to insufficient medical opinions.

The Board has granted service connection for left wrist arthritis. The claims for left hand arthritis and neuropathy of the left upper extremity are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection on all issues related to his lumbosacral spine, wrist, and hand disabilities has been dismissed as the claim for headaches was granted in May 2023.

The Veteran's claim for an effective date earlier than July 11, 2023, for the award of service connection for left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome is granted. The rating in excess of 20 percent for left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome prior to October 16, 2023, and the rating in excess of 30 percent for left upper extremity radiculopathy and carpal tunnel syndrome from October 16, 2023, are denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in a loss or loss of use of any lower extremity or upper extremity, and thus he does not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right lower extremity numbness, left lower extremity numbness, right wrist disability, strain of the left quadriceps, degenerative arthritis of the right hand, a disability of the left foot, low back disability, deformity of the left foot, and right foot plantar fasciitis. The claims are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for the claim of entitlement to service connection for left wrist pain.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for carpal tunnel syndrome, right wrist; right hand joint pain secondary to median neuropathy; and ulnar neuropathy were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed as he requested to withdraw his appeal and the Board hearing.

The Board has denied service connection for a right wrist disorder, foot disorder, ulcer residuals, lumbar spine disorder, and dry eye syndrome. The issues of service connection for these conditions are being remanded.