Wrist & hand decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the remaining issues on appeal due to procedural errors in recognizing the Veteran's VA Forms 10182 and placing his appeal on the AMA Hearing Docket. The Veteran's appeal is now under the legacy system, and he must file a timely VA Form 9 or VA 10182 to continue his appeal.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate examination for rating purposes, and further development is needed.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to inadequate medical opinion regarding limitation of motion in the Veteran's right wrist, which is related to his service-connected burn scars. The Veteran will need a new examination to determine if there are any limitations of motion specifically associated with his burn scars.

The Board has denied all claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to service or toxic exposure. The Veteran's current diagnoses do not meet the criteria for service connection under applicable laws and regulations.

The Veteran's claims for TDIU and DEA were denied as his service-connected conditions did not render him unemployable within the one-year lookback period prior to September 18, 2018.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a disability manifested by muscle spasm and cramping, right shoulder disorder, right arm disorder, and right wrist disorder is denied. The Board found no current diagnoses related to these conditions during the appeal period.,For the right shoulder disorder, right arm disorder, and right wrist disorder, there are no service treatment records indicating any injuries or illnesses that could have led to these conditions. The VA examiner concluded that it is less likely than not that these disorders were incurred in service.

The Board has granted service connection for left shoulder strain, acromioclavicular joint osteoarthritis, right elbow degenerative joint disease, right wrist degenerative joint disease, and cervical spine degenerative arthritis with spondylosis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection has been reopened and granted for a psychiatric disorder. Service connection is also granted for a skin disability.,CFS, bilateral shoulder/wrist/elbow/hand disabilities, headaches, and gastrointestinal issues are remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's service connection for right lower extremity radiculopathy is granted. The appeals for other conditions are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine, but denied service connection for bilateral trigger finger and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) of the bilateral upper extremities.

The Board has remanded several issues for further development, including service connection claims and a rating for shin splints. The Veteran's bilateral plantar fasciitis and lumbosacral strain are not rated higher than the current levels due to lack of evidence supporting more severe disability. Service connection for cervical spine and left wrist disabilities is denied as they are not attributable to active military service or arthritis manifest within one year post-service. The claim for a headache was previously denied, but new evidence did not meet the criteria for reopening.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of entitlement to service connection for a left wrist disability. The Veteran's right ankle scar is currently rated as 10 percent disabling, but the Board finds additional development is needed before determining if an increased rating is warranted.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration of new evidence, including a recent VA examination.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome in both his left and right hands, as these conditions are related to his cold weather injury residuals. The AOJ will need to obtain updated medical opinions regarding the etiology of the Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndromes.

The Board has remanded the cases for additional development due to non-compliance with previous directives and to ensure the Veteran is provided adequate opportunity to attend VA examinations.

The Veteran's request for a higher rating for his right wrist disability is denied as he is already receiving the maximum schedular rating. The left knee replacement claim and TDIU claim are remanded due to lack of updated medical records.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome should be remanded due to a lack of toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) examination, specifically for asbestos exposure.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for right wrist arthritis, left wrist arthritis, left hip arthritis with total replacement, and right hip arthritis with total replacement due to inadequate examination findings. The Veteran is asked to provide medical nexus letters from his private treatment providers regarding the etiology of his claimed disabilities.

The Veteran's service connection for hemorrhoids, mild TMJ disorder with bruxism, left carpal tunnel syndrome with cubital tunnel syndrome, bilateral plantar fasciitis, persistent depressive disorder, GERD with IBS, shin splint, right lower extremity, and shin splint, left lower extremity have been granted. The Veteran's service connection for left carpal tunnel syndrome with cubital tunnel syndrome has been granted at a 30 percent rating effective from November 21, 2019.

The Board denied service connection for a left wrist disability, finding that the evidence did not support a link between the current condition and active service.