Wrist & hand decisions — 2024

New and relevant evidence has been submitted for the claims of service connection for tinnitus, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left carpal tunnel syndrome, and obstructive sleep apnea. The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as due to in-service noise exposure.,The claims for service connection for right and left hand carpal tunnel syndrome are remanded due to a lack of a VA examination.

The reduction in evaluation from 50 percent to 0 percent for bilateral pes planus, to include plantar fasciitis and bone spurs of the heel was improper. The 50 percent evaluation is restored.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, fibromyalgia, a skin disorder (melasma), and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome due to incomplete STRs and inadequate examination opinions. The AOJ is instructed to obtain all relevant records and schedule VA examinations.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to inadequate VA examination reports for his right forearm, left knee, and jaw disabilities. The TDIU claim is also remanded as it is inextricably intertwined with the other issues.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for bilateral hearing loss, left wrist condition, and right knee disability due to incomplete records and the need for new evaluations.

The Board dismissed the claims of service connection for eating disorder and right wrist disability. The claim for new and material evidence to reopen the acquired psychiatric disorder was granted, but the service connection for PTSD due to MST is granted subject to the laws and regulations governing the award of monetary benefits. Service connections for left carpal tunnel syndrome and right carpal tunnel syndrome are also granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate VA examination and further development is required. The Veteran's left wrist disability remains service-connected, but a compensable rating for the fracture is not granted. The issue of TDIU is also inextricably intertwined with the rating claim.

The Veteran's tinnitus is granted as service-connected, while his dyslipidemia and other disabilities are denied. The case is remanded for further examination.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome has been withdrawn and is dismissed. The Board has also remanded the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral pes planus and bilateral tinnitus.

The Veteran's petition to reopen his previously denied claim for service connection for a cervical spine disorder was granted. The Board also remanded three issues: right wrist disability, right knee injury residuals, and right knee subluxation and instability.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection of right knee, hand, wrist, and shoulder disabilities due to a lack of medical nexus between these conditions and his active duty.,An earlier effective date prior to October 30, 2018, for grant of service connection for PTSD is remanded.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's claimed disabilities, including his right knee, left knee, low back, right wrist, finger, and TMJ disorders. The claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to his assertions of exposure to environmental toxins and injuries during military service. The cases are now pending before a VA examiner for further evaluation.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for a right testicular disability, tinnitus, and dental trauma to include TMJ. The claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, low back disability, dyspepsia, eye disorder, headaches, left wrist condition, neck condition, right shoulder condition, and traumatic brain injury are remanded due to outstanding VA treatment records.

The Veteran's claims for bilateral dry eyes with light sensitivity, tinnitus, left ear hearing loss, allergic rhinitis, cervical spine degenerative disease, recurrent right wrist tendonitis, fractured base of the fifth metacarpal of the right hand, asthma with obstructive sleep apnea, and GERD have all been granted effective December 1, 2017.,The Veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis, a right shoulder disability, left wrist disability, left hand disability (claimed as osteoarthritis and tendonitis), and a left knee disability were denied.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right wrist disabilities, finding that her current conditions are at least as likely as not related to her military service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for pes cavus and left wrist CTS was dismissed. The claim to reopen his cervical spine disorder was granted, but the Board also remanded the cases of heart disorder and DM for further development.

The Veteran's right ankle condition is granted service connection as secondary to his service-connected plantar fasciitis and lumbar degenerative disc disease. The Veteran's right wrist strain is denied service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is aggravated by his service-connected PTSD, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for nonservice-connected pension benefits prior to November 17, 2009 and from November 1, 2016 to July 14, 2017 as his VA compensation benefits were found to be the greater benefit.