Wrist & hand decisions — 2024

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to the need for a secondary service connection opinion regarding trigger finger and carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as an addendum opinion on causation of these conditions by in-service responsibilities.

The Veteran's left ankle, left wrist, and right wrist disabilities are granted secondary to service-connected conditions. His LUE and RUE peripheral neuropathy are also granted as secondary to his bilateral wrist disabilities.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is denied because he was not rendered unemployable due to only one service-connected disability, but rather multiple disabilities including his neck and back pain.

The Board has decided to remand the claim of service connection for a left wrist disability due to insufficient consideration of the Veteran's lay statements regarding his in-service injury. The case is returned to the RO for further action.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings, service connection, and TDIU are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence. The issues include left elbow and wrist disabilities, sleep disorder (OSA), bilateral hearing loss, psychiatric disorders, and hepatitis C.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a disorder manifested by left hand cold sensitivity, numbness, and circulatory problems as secondary to his already service-connected left wrist median/ulnar nerve neuropathy.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluation, service connection, and other issues related to his right hand little finger instability with degenerative arthritis and ankylosis of the proximal interphalangeal joint, rheumatoid arthritis, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and left carpal tunnel syndrome are being remanded for further development.,The Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluation, service connection, and other issues related to his right hand little finger instability with degenerative arthritis and ankylosis of the proximal interphalangeal joint, rheumatoid arthritis, right knee disorder, left knee disorder, right carpal tunnel syndrome, and left carpal tunnel syndrome are being remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a left wrist and arm disability, to include as secondary to his service-connected left ring finger amputation disability, is being remanded due to the need for further development of evidence related to the incident in 1978.

The Board has remanded the case for further consideration of a TDIU on an extraschedular basis and a rating in excess of 40 percent for the service-connected right upper extremity disability.

The Veteran's residuals of right wrist ganglion cyst were granted service connection as it was caused by an in-service right wrist ganglion cyst.,Service connection for a right ankle disability was denied due to the periodic flare ups not being causally related to active duty service.,Service connection for hemorrhoids was denied as there is no current evidence of a disability or impairment associated with them.,The left elbow condition was denied as it did not onset during his active duty service and there were no symptoms reported after separation.,Bilateral hearing loss was denied due to the absence of a current diagnosis meeting VA criteria for a disability.,Service connection for a scar from left inguinal hernia repair was denied as there is no evidence of such a condition.,Right foot condition, including plantar fasciitis, was remanded as further examination and opinion are needed.,Cervical spine condition and high blood pressure were also remanded due to the need for additional medical evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from obtaining and maintaining substantially gainful employment prior to August 11, 2021. The Board found that the Veteran was unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative arthritis of the bilateral shoulders, wrists, and hips.,Additional claims for hearing loss, left foot condition, right foot condition, and an acquired psychiatric disorder are remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome/peripheral neuropathy, left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome/peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy due to exposure to herbicides during active military service.

The Veteran's TDIU and SMC based on housebound status are granted due to his service-connected disabilities, including diabetes, peripheral neuropathy, PTSD, and other conditions.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to new evidence received since the last decision, and requests that she complete medical authorizations for private records. The Board also requires examinations to determine etiology of her claimed disabilities.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a left wrist disability, right foot/ankle disability, and acquired psychiatric disability due to inadequate medical opinions in previous VA examinations. The case is being returned for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various hand, shoulder, elbow, wrist, and ankle disabilities due to inadequate reasoning in previous decisions.

The Veteran's bilateral arm disability is granted as secondary to his service-connected bilateral shoulder disabilities. The remaining claims for joint pain, knee, ankle, and wrist disabilities are remanded due to inadequate VA medical opinions. The claim for sleep apnea remains remanded.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded due to unresolved issues regarding his right hand, wrist, and knee disabilities. The Board will further develop the evidence before making a decision.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claims for service connection for stroke residuals, blood clots, memory loss, and headaches. The remaining issues of entitlement to service connection for various disorders are remanded.