Wrist & hand decisions — 2024

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss or right wrist disability for VA compensation purposes, and therefore service connection is denied. The Veteran's left knee degenerative arthritis claim is remanded due to an inadequate examination during a flare-up.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is denied as there is no evidence of a nexus between the condition and active service.,The Veteran's right wrist tendon strain, right ankle tendonitis, and lumbar disability are remanded for further evaluation due to inadequate examination reports.,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD) is remanded due to incomplete VA records not being obtained.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to errors in VA's duty to assist and a need for additional medical opinions regarding the cause of death.

The Veteran's service connection claims for GERD, lumbar spine disability, right shoulder disability, bilateral wrist disabilities (right and left), and right ankle disability have been granted due to the submission of new and relevant evidence.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for right ventral wrist scar and PTSD due to a lack of service treatment records and conflicting medical opinions.

The Board has remanded the case due to a procedural issue where the AOJ did not accept the Appellant's timely VA Form 20-0996 Higher Level Review request for review of the June 2020 decision. The AOJ should now conduct a higher level review.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various disabilities, including back pain, ankle joint pain, knee conditions, and wrist sprain. The evidence did not support granting higher ratings or establishing service connection.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of right hand carpal tunnel release, finding that the current disability did not have its onset during service and is not otherwise related to service.

The Veteran's right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome is remanded due to a duty to assist error, and the AOJ should consider all relevant evidence including a March 2023 VA examination.

The Board has granted service connection for right hand and left hand carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during his active duty service.

The Veteran's bilateral upper extremity disability is rated as moderate incomplete paralysis, and therefore, ratings in excess of 40 percent for the right upper extremity disability and 30 percent for the left upper extremity disability are not warranted.,The Veteran raised a claim for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities. However, his service-connected disabilities did not preclude him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including right ear hearing loss, CTS, ankle disorders, elbow disorders, hip disorders, knee disorders, and neck disorders. These claims are being remanded to allow for further examination and opinion.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for a low back condition and left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome due to untimely submission of appeal forms.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral feet and wrists, meningioma/brain tumor, complex partial seizures (secondary to meningioma/brain tumor), increased compensable evaluation for bilateral hearing loss, and an increased evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus have all been denied.,There is no current evidence showing the Veteran has any service-connected disabilities related to her claimed conditions.

The Board denied service connection for a lung disability and granted service connection for a left hand disability, finding no current diagnosis of the lung condition and attributing the left hand disability to service.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for left and right carpal tunnel syndrome, anxiety disorder, and depressive disorder due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right wrist disorder, and right arm disorder due to incomplete records and duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has granted an increased disability rating of 30 percent for the service-connected major (dominant) right wrist disability from October 31, 2020. The decision is based on functional impairment consistent with favorable ankylosis in a position where the wrist can be locked at 20 to 30 degrees dorsiflexion.

The Veteran's left wrist fracture residuals are related to his active service. The claims for right ear hearing loss and tinnitus are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence being added and insufficient VA medical opinions. The Veteran alleges his joint and lung conditions are related to vaccinations he received in service.