Wrist & hand decisions — 2024

The Veteran's appeal of the effective date for her increased disability evaluation for right carpal tunnel syndrome with peripheral neuropathy of the right arm was dismissed as a valid appeal was not submitted.

The Veteran's cervical spine condition, diagnosed as degenerative arthritis of the spine and cervical strain, is related to service. The Board finds that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error in not providing an adequate VA examination and medical opinion.,The Veteran's rib condition, diagnosed as a hairline fracture due to jump from a Black Hawk, is related to service. The Board finds that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error in not providing an adequate VA examination and medical opinion.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is related to service. The Board finds that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error in not providing an adequate VA examination and medical opinion.,The Veteran's left femur condition, diagnosed as a femur injury in 1987, is related to service. The Board finds that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error in not providing an adequate VA examination and medical opinion.,The Veteran's right-hand condition, diagnosed as dupuytren's contracture with lacerations, is related to service. The Board finds that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error in not providing an adequate VA examination and medical opinion.,The Veteran's left-hand condition, diagnosed as dupuytren's contracture with lacerations and osteopenia, is related to service. The Board finds that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error in not providing an adequate VA examination and medical opinion.,The Veteran's right wrist condition, diagnosed as lacerations of the right forearm/hand, is related to service. The Board finds that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error in not providing an adequate VA examination and medical opinion.,The Veteran's left wrist condition, diagnosed as lacerations of the left forearm/hand, is related to service. The Board finds that there was a pre-decisional duty to assist error in not providing an adequate VA examination and medical opinion.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's active service treatment records could not be located and were unavailable for review, and therefore a remand is needed to comply with VA regulations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities due to a pre-decisional duty-to-assist error in obtaining VA treatment records from Vista Imaging. The Veteran is not currently service connected for any of these conditions, and his claim for special monthly compensation based on need for aid and attendance is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the service connection claims.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals seeking service connection for disabilities of both wrists and both knees, as well as compensable ratings for service-connected hypertension, GERD, and migraine headaches.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for disabilities of the cervical spine, bilateral elbows, bilateral shoulders, and bilateral wrists as there is no evidence of a current disability or an in-service event that could be linked to these conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral wrist osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's current condition is related to her military service. The decision resolves reasonable doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist and a heart disorder due to issues with obtaining adequate medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder to include PTSD and a right wrist disorder, finding no current diagnoses or causal links to service.

The appeals for increased ratings and effective dates for service-connected residuals of bilateral carpal tunnel release are dismissed as the AOJ decision implementing the Board's grant is not a 'decision' the Board has jurisdiction to review.,An effective date of April 5, 2010, but no earlier, is granted for the award of total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU).

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and records. The Board will consider all evidence received since the May 2020 statement of the case.

Service connection for PTSD and a back disability is granted, while service connection for right wrist strain, impetigo, and headaches is denied.,An initial 70 percent disability rating for the service-connected mental disorder (PTSD) is granted from September 30, 2017.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for right and left carpal tunnel syndrome due to a lack of substantial compliance with previous directives.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and need for additional development, including obtaining a complete copy of Ms. H.'s treatment records.

The Board denied service connection for left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome and remanded the issue of service connection for tension headaches due to a duty-to-assist error.

The Board has granted service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome, recurrent right ulnar nerve disability, left carpal tunnel syndrome, and recurrent left elbow injury residuals. The claims are being remanded for further evaluation of the Veteran's lung condition, headaches, sinusitis rating, and TDIU.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for service connection for left wrist and ankle conditions due to inadequate VA examination opinions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to errors in obtaining and associating medical records, as well as failing to provide a VA examination for some of the conditions. The claims will be reconsidered upon completion of these directives.

The Veteran's sinusitis, cardiac arrhythmia, left wrist muscle and joint pain, and tremors of the hands are presumed to be related to his service in Southwest Asia due to exposure to fine particulate matter.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for a right wrist sprain is denied.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for carpal tunnel of the left hand is being remanded due to a need for additional development and an addendum opinion from the VA examiner.