Wrist & hand decisions — 2024

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that there is new and relevant evidence to support her claim. The decision affords the Veteran the benefit of doubt in favor of her claim.

The Veteran's right CTS is granted a 10 percent rating from December 1, 2011 to August 28, 2020. The compensable ratings for dyshidrotic eczema of the feet are denied prior to October 5, 2015 and after February 9, 2016. Retroactive payment based on the October 2020 rating decision granting service connection for right hip disability is also denied.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss disability and right wrist strain were not found to have onset during service or be related to in-service noise exposure or a fall, respectively. The Board denied the claims for service connection.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding service connection for cataracts and carpal tunnel syndrome, so the appeals are dismissed.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to inadequate VA examinations and the need for additional medical opinions regarding his claimed conditions, particularly those related to toxic exposures in Southwest Asia.

The Board has decided that service connection for PTSD is denied, and the claims of service connection for back impairment, left wrist impairment, right wrist impairment, and sleep impairment other than major depressive disorder with insomnia disorder are remanded for further development.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU effective February 27, 2019. The effective date for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) under Chapter 35 is now May 1, 2018.,The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have rendered her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment since May 1, 2018.

All issues related to increased ratings and service connection are granted effective March 30, 2020.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for ear disorder (dizziness, vertigo), bilateral shoulder disability, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome due to inadequate medical opinions and failure to comply with previous remand directives.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding the combined effects of his service-connected disabilities on his employability. A VA medical opinion is needed to address this issue.

The Veteran's tension headaches and tinnitus were found to be incurred in service.,Service connection was granted for bilateral shin splints, left hip disability, right hip disability, left shoulder disability, right shoulder disability, left wrist and forearm disability, right wrist disability, and right elbow disability as secondary to generalized anxiety disorder.

The Veteran's right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome is rated at 50 percent, effective from November 4, 2019.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have precluded her from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and the Board has granted entitlement to TDIU.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for various scars and hypertension. The case is remanded to consider whether an extraschedular rating is warranted, as well as to address the issue of a total disability rating based on individual unemployability prior to July 18, 2023.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to deficiencies in VCAA notice and the need to obtain post-service VA medical records. The Veteran's diabetes mellitus type II, left foot disability, right foot disability, left wrist disability, and tumors/cysts are being reviewed.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to inadequate medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, specifically her back disability and right hip and wrist disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for initial increased ratings for carpal tunnel syndrome in both upper extremities due to insufficient information provided by a previous VA examination.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is caused by his obesity, which was caused by service-connected psychiatric and orthopedic disabilities. OSA would not have occurred but for obesity caused by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right shoulder disability is rated at 20 percent for limitation of motion and impairment of the humerus. Ratings for carpal tunnel syndrome of both wrists are granted, with a maximum rating of 30 percent for each wrist.

The Board denied service connection for right hand and right wrist disabilities, finding that the Veteran did not incur an in-service injury or disease related to these conditions.