Wrist & hand decisions — 2024

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including persistent depressive disorder, DDD of the lumbar spine, hypertension, left hand carpal tunnel syndrome, residuals of right hand carpal tunnel release, left knee chondromalacia patella and meniscal tear with shin splints, and right knee chondromalacia patella with shin splints, have rendered her unable to obtain and maintain substantially gainful employment. As a result, the Board has granted TDIU.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right wrist condition, finding no current disability and noting she is already service-connected for a related condition (right 5th metacarpal fracture).

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current left knee disability or sleep apnea, and thus service connection for these conditions is denied.,For the right hip, left hip, right wrist, left wrist, and left shoulder disabilities, the Board has found insufficient evidence to determine their etiology and has therefore remanded these issues.

The Board has reopened the claims of service connection for tinnitus, GERD, hypertension, left hand condition, right hand condition, left hip condition, right hip condition, left knee condition, right knee condition, neck disability, and right ankle condition. The new evidence received since the last denial is relevant to an in-service event that the Veteran believes caused his disabilities and a nexus between service and the disabilities.

The Veteran's left wrist strain and right ankle sprain are not rated higher than 10 percent.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss is denied, as the Veteran does not have a present hearing disability for VA purposes.,Service connection for lumbosacral strain is remanded due to insufficient medical evidence on file.,Service connection for right knee strain is remanded due to inadequate opinion from the 2014 VA examination.,Service connection for hemorrhoids is not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's right wrist ankylosis rating is restored to 50 percent effective June 15, 2017. The claim for a higher rating remains denied.

The Veteran's claim of service connection for skin cancer was dismissed as the benefit sought has been granted.,The Board finds that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen claims for service connection of a brain tumor and right shoulder condition, which were previously denied in January 2018. The Veteran's VA Supplemental Claim and associated medical records are considered new and material.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for residuals of right wrist sprain and remanded both issues related to this condition. The rating for degenerative arthritis of the spine is also being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral pinguecula, reopened and granted service connection for left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome and right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, but denied reopening of the claim for diabetes mellitus.

The Board has denied service connection for a bilateral wrist disorder, bilateral knee disorder, and an acquired psychiatric disorder (PTSD). The case is remanded to obtain the Veteran's complete service personnel records and verify stressors. Another examination is needed to assess hearing loss and tinnitus.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated as noncompensable.,Service connection for left knee patellofemoral arthritis, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and bilateral elbow cubital tunnel syndrome has been granted. ,Service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (major depressive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder with alcoholism) has also been granted.,The Veteran's claim of service connection for residuals/effects of a dental abscess and root canal was denied in the August 2009 rating decision.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, osteoarthritis of the left wrist and thumb, osteoarthritis of the right wrist, and PTSD due to additional evidence added after the June 2021 Statement of the Case.

The Board has remanded the case due to concerns raised by the Joint Motion for Remand (JMR), including the need to address the August 2015 VA examination findings and assess the probative value of the Veteran's lay statements.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted for the period since February 15, 2015. The effective date of this grant is set at February 15, 2015.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims for service connection for a right upper extremity disability and a left shoulder disability, both claimed as secondary to a service-connected low back disability. However, these claims are still pending because further development is required.,The Veteran's current theory of service connection is that her disabilities are secondary to a neck disability, which has been granted in the July 2023 rating decision.

The appeal for service connection for residuals of traumatic brain injury (TBI), other than migraine headaches is dismissed. Service connection for tinnitus is granted, but the left shoulder disability and cold injuries to bilateral lower extremities are denied.

The Board has determined that additional evidence is needed to adjudicate the claims for service connection of right shoulder, back, right hip, right wrist, and right knee disabilities. The Veteran's pain disorders are being evaluated in light of recent legal developments regarding secondary service connection.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, acute ischemic stroke as secondary to his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea, and carpal tunnel syndrome are all granted.,Service connection is established for the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea, acute ischemic stroke (as a result of his service-connected obstructive sleep apnea), and carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board denied an annual clothing allowance for topical medication in 2018 because the Veteran did not use prescribed medication for a skin condition due to a service-connected disability.

The Board has remanded several issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims, including left hand and wrist condition, diverticulosis, bilateral hearing loss, lower back condition, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy, and right hip condition. The remand requests additional medical opinions on these issues.