Wrist & hand decisions — 2024

The reduction of the 30 percent rating for service-connected carpal tunnel syndrome left upper extremity effective April 1, 2020 was improper. The 30 percent rating is restored.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for withdrawal of the entire appeal filed in September 2020.

The Veteran's PTSD was rated at 50% from November 9, 2018 to March 8, 2019. The rating for PTSD is denied.,Ratings for left and right wrist degenerative arthritis were both denied as they did not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome is at least as likely as not related to his service-connected left wrist disability, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has dismissed all claims as the Veteran's October 2020 request to continue the appeal under the modernized review system was invalid and not properly before the Board.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and remanded the claim for an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as PTSD). The decision on CTS is due to lack of current diagnosis, while the psychiatric issue requires a VA examination.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss is denied as he does not have a current disability. The claim for tinnitus is granted due to the indication of chronicity since service and lay testimony. The claims for bilateral dry eye, foot fungus, ankle, knee, and wrist disabilities are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeals seeking service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, right and left upper extremities, and hypertension have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of her appeal by her representative.

The Board has denied service connection for left wrist strain and remanded the claims for chronic right ankle pain and degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine due to insufficient evidence in the record.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is granted as service connection, with the Board finding it at least as likely as not that his military service caused or aggravated this condition.,Service connection for left shoulder pain is denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of a left shoulder condition and concluded there was insufficient evidence to link any current symptoms to service.

The Board has granted service connection for a left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The conditions are considered to be directly related to the Veteran's military service.,Service connection is established for all three conditions based on their onset during active duty service.

The Veteran's claim for SMC based on aid and attendance is remanded due to incomplete medical records and the need for a detailed examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to a lack of consideration of aggravation in the November 2020 VA examination, and the need for an addendum opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right arm disorders are caused or aggravated by his service-connected left shoulder and wrist disabilities.

The Board has restored the previously assigned ratings for left and right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as granted a higher rating of 20 percent for right lower extremity radiculopathy. The decision also found that the reduction in ratings was improper.

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and granted service connection for tinnitus. The claims of entitlement to service connection for left wrist scar and flat feet are remanded.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a bilateral wrist condition and his TBI rating appeal are both denied. The Veteran is granted total disability based on individual unemployability.

The Veteran's right wrist sprain, left wrist sprain, and right shoulder strain have been granted a rating of 10 percent each effective March 25, 2021.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's Parkinson's disease, tremors in right wrist, and bilateral leg neuritis are not service-connected. The claims for these conditions have been remanded to obtain a VA examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's requests for earlier effective dates for TDIU and DEA benefits, finding that there was no indication in the record of unemployability due to service-connected disabilities prior to January 5, 2021.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to correct pre-decisional duty-to-assist errors and obtain the Appellant's National Guard service treatment records. The claims for bilateral hearing loss, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left knee disability, left carpal tunnel syndrome, low back disability, tinnitus, right shoulder disability, and right knee disability are remanded.