Wrist & hand decisions — 2024

The Veteran's increased ratings for carpal tunnel syndrome and restoration of a 20 percent rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine are remanded due to inadequate examination findings.

The reduction of the rating for right carpal tunnel syndrome from 30 percent to 20 percent effective July 1, 2020, was improper. The Veteran's disability has improved to the point that he is now better able to function under the ordinary conditions of life and work.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine neck condition, left wrist condition, right wrist condition, and left knee condition. The cases are remanded for further development.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal for service connection due to a grant of service connection in a prior decision, and denied her claims for migraine headaches, PTSD, and a right wrist ganglion cyst.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of the aid and attendance of another person, but a VA examination is needed to assess this need.

The Veteran's acquired psychiatric disorder is granted as service connected.,There is no evidence of a current right wrist or left wrist disability during the appeal period.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received sufficient to warrant readjudication of the Veteran's claims for service connection for left carpal tunnel syndrome, right carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral hand condition, and right wrist condition. The claims are now remanded for further development.

The Board has restored service connection for left hand carpal tunnel syndrome, which was previously severed due to a disagreement with the original decision. The appeal is based on the correct facts as they were known at the time and no CUE in the March 2019 rating decision that granted service connection.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for lumbosacral strain, right knee strain, and right wrist sprain were denied. The evidence did not support a higher rating for any of the conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations were denied. The Board found no current diagnosis of a digestive/bowel disability, and the evidence did not support her claim that she has an acquired psychiatric disorder or right hand carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's sinusitis, headaches, fatigue, right elbow condition, right wrist condition, erectile dysfunction, and pseudofolliculitis barbae are all granted service connection. The remaining issues of service connection for the right elbow condition, right wrist condition, and erectile dysfunction are remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for cervical spine disability, bilateral CTS, and hypothyroidism due to incomplete and inadequate VA medical opinions regarding the nature and etiology of these conditions.

Service connection is granted for left wrist sprain and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease with radiculopathy. The Veteran's claims for service connection of a left-hand condition, right-hand condition, and migraines are remanded.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him in need of regular aid and attendance, as he is unable to dress or undress himself, keep himself clean and presentable, prepare his own meals, and protect himself from daily hazards. The Board has granted entitlement to SMC(l).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for bilateral hand, foot, and knee disabilities due to a lack of adequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of her conditions. The AOJ is instructed to obtain VA examinations and provide appropriate medical opinions.

The Veteran's service connection claims for left elbow, wrist, knee disabilities and IBS are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions.,The Veteran's claim for presumptive service connection for undiagnosed illness or MUCMI related to Gulf War exposure is being remanded due to the need for a new VA examination and opinion.,PTSD rating claims are being remanded due to inadequate medical opinions regarding PTSD severity prior to November 2020.,The TDIU claim is being remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with other pending claims.

The Board has granted service connection for asthma, right shoulder strain, and chronic right wrist sprain. The Veteran's conditions are found to be causally related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss was not rated higher than noncompensable, his right knee disability did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent prior to July 16, 2019 or 30 percent from September 1, 2020, and he failed to establish service connection for chronic bronchitis (COPD), fungal infection, left knee disorder, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, left elbow disorder, or diabetes.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded due to the AOJ not having considered his service-connected low back disability, which was granted and assigned a rating effective from April 30, 2014. The combined rating now includes three disabilities, potentially qualifying him for schedular TDIU.

The Board has dismissed the appeals regarding service connection for right ankle impairment, back impairment, and right knee impairment. Service connection is granted for sinusitis and left wrist strain.