Wrist & hand decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeals for service connection have been withdrawn due to the Veteran's representative requesting withdrawal of all appeals.,All appeals for service connection have been dismissed as per the Veteran's representative's requests.

The Board has found that the VA examinations provided to the Veteran were inadequate, specifically in not addressing his lay statements regarding symptoms experienced during service. As a result, these claims are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's service-connected rheumatoid arthritis and related disabilities are found to prevent him from working, and the case is being referred for extraschedular consideration.

The Veteran's application for Legacy S-DVI was denied because it was not filed within two years of the September 2006 grant of service connection for prostate cancer, which rated as 100 percent disabling.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to obtain and follow substantially gainful employment, leading to a TDIU award effective April 1, 2017.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals regarding the reduction in disability rating for right upper extremity radiculopathy and cubital tunnel syndrome, an initial evaluation for right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, service connection for right flatfoot associated with metatarsalgia, left upper extremity ulnar nerve neuropathy (previously carpal tunnel syndrome and cubital tunnel syndrome), and service connection for right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including PTSD and diabetes, have rendered him in need of regular aid and attendance due to his inability to prepare meals, manage medications, and perform daily activities. The Board granted special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for thoracolumbar spine disability and left wrist disability due to insufficient medical opinions regarding their etiology. The Veteran is required to undergo new VA examinations to address these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or special home adaptation due to his inability to use assistive devices and lack of loss of use of any extremities.

The Veteran's death was attributed to multiple blunt force injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident, not related to his service-connected conditions. The Board found no evidence linking the cause of death to active duty or service-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left carpal tunnel syndrome is service-connected, as her symptoms were present during active duty and are related to her military duties.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating of his right wrist sprain with tenosynovitis and a temporary total disability reasonably encompassed his right hand neuritis (to include carpal tunnel syndrome status post carpal tunnel release) and surgical scars to the right wrist and palm. An effective date of April 2, 2019 for the 30 percent evaluation of neuritis of the right hand (to include carpal tunnel syndrome status post carpal tunnel release) is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for cervical spine disability, left and right upper extremity radiculopathy, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The diagnoses are based on the Veteran's reported symptoms and medical evidence.,Service connection is established for these conditions as they are related to her active duty service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented her from securing or following substantially gainful employment from June 4, 2015 to July 4, 2018.

The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity is rated at 30 percent, but no higher, as it more nearly approximates moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Board has found that the Veteran's service treatment records are incomplete and have not been fully associated with his claims file. The Board is therefore remanding the case to obtain any outstanding service treatment records.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left wrist fracture residuals due to a preexisting condition that clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service.,The right wrist, left hand, and right hand fractures are remanded as VA medical opinions were not obtained.

The Board has granted service connection for a left wrist condition, diabetes mellitus, type II, and prostate cancer. The conditions are related to the Veteran's exposure to toxic environmental exposures during his active duty service as a Fuel Specialist.

The Board found that the withholding of VA compensation benefits to recoup separation pay in the amount of $15,928.50 was proper and denied the appeal.

The Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) claims are remanded for further evaluation. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the CTS rating claims.