Wrist & hand decisions — 2024

The Veteran has withdrawn his appeals for a rating in excess of 10 percent for residuals of a right wrist fracture with arthritis and for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's rumination disorder, left knee scar, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) have been granted service connection. The right ring finger scar, acne scars, left eyebrow scar, right wrist scar, and right chest scar are denied as not related to service.,Service connection for eye conditions including pinguecula is also denied.

The Veteran's bilateral foot, hip, wrist, right shoulder and left ankle conditions are granted as direct service connection. The Board finds that these conditions did not manifest during service or are related to her service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is service-connected, and he has undergone multiple surgeries for this condition. The Board granted temporary total ratings based on convalescence following these surgeries.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss, hypertrophic gastritis, neck disability, back disability, right shoulder disability, right hip disability, left hip disability, right ankle disability, left ankle disability, bilateral foot disability, cholelithiasis, hiatal hernia, and hemorrhoids. The Board found that the Veteran's claims were previously adjudicated in a prior appeal.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection of a right wrist condition is dismissed. The claim for an increased rating for right ankle fracture residuals remains on appeal as the maximum schedular rating has been granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left wrist arthritis. The claims of increased ratings for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease with atrial fibrillation, hypertension, and TDIU are remanded due to inadequate examination reports and missing VA treatment records.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various wrist and knee conditions, finding that there was no evidence linking these disabilities to his time in service.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development regarding his service-connected disabilities, including secondary service connection claims.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's claims, including service connection for prostate cancer and various musculoskeletal and psychiatric disabilities. The issues of service connection for left hand carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral shoulder disability, acquired psychiatric disability (including anxiety and/or PTSD), sleep disability (including apnea), left hip disability, right hip disability, left leg disability, and right leg disability are all remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right wrist, bilateral shoulder, and cervical spine disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions. The Veteran contends that his current conditions are related to an in-service fall.

The Veteran's claim for a 2020 clothing allowance for bilateral wrist and knee braces is remanded due to incomplete documentation and inadequate notice in the original decision.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and effective dates have been denied.,The Veteran is not entitled to an earlier effective date for the awards of service connection or other benefits.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased ratings and initial compensable rating for his right wrist conditions due to inadequate VA medical opinions.

The Veteran's lung nodules and pneumonia are not related to his service, including herbicide agent exposure.,The Veteran's left hand carpal tunnel syndrome and left upper extremity condition are not related to his service, including herbicide agent exposure.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, autoimmune disorder (claimed as lupus), migraines, rheumatoid arthritis, and bilateral carpal tunnel due to potential service connection based on exposure to environmental and chemical hazards during her periods of active duty.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased disability ratings for various muscle residuals status post rhabdomyolysis due to inadequate range of motion findings in his neck, back, shoulders, elbows, wrists, hips, knees, and feet. The AOJ is instructed to obtain these necessary examinations.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left wrist disabilities, finding that there is no evidence of a nexus between the current disabilities and in-service injuries.

The Board has denied an evaluation in excess of 40 percent for right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome due to the absence of evidence supporting more than moderate incomplete paralysis.,The Veteran's lumbar spine condition is remanded as a retrospective medical opinion is needed to assess functional loss during flare-ups and estimate additional range of motion loss.,The Veteran's claim for service connection for RSD is remanded as VA has not provided an examination.

The Board denied service connection for right wrist, right shoulder, and left shoulder disabilities due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.,The Veteran's assertions about in-service injuries were not supported by STRs or other medical records.