Wrist & hand decisions — 2024

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of evidence.,Specifically, the Veteran needs a new examination to assess the current severity of his knee and shoulder disabilities, as well as his left knee scar. Additionally, he needs an opinion regarding the nature and etiology of his left ankle disorder and bilateral wrist pain.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for CTS of the LUE and RUE was denied. The effective dates granted are November 30, 2015.,A rating in excess of 10 percent for CTS of the LUE is denied, while a rating of 30 percent for CTS of the RUE is granted.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to insufficient development of evidence regarding whether the Veteran's left arm numbness is related to his service-connected right shoulder disability.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate medical opinions and a need for further examination. The Veteran's right wrist and hand disability is being reviewed again to determine if it is related to service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete VA treatment records and the need for addendum opinions on the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board denied service connection for all claimed conditions, finding that the evidence did not establish a nexus between any of these conditions and active military service.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the claims of service connection for a low back disability, left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, and right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome. The Veteran will be provided with new examinations to determine the etiology of these conditions.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board has remanded the cases of left hand carpal tunnel syndrome and right shoulder disability for further examination and opinion to determine if these conditions are related to service, specifically whether they are secondary to a service-connected condition.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a disability rating in excess of 10 percent prior to April 23, 2022 and from April 23, 2022 for residuals of median nerve injury of the right wrist due to insufficient examination findings. Further development is needed.

The Veteran's left knee disorder, diagnosed as a left knee meniscal tear, is related to his service-connected right knee disability and has been granted.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to new evidence received after a prior rating determination. The Veteran is to be afforded VA examinations to determine the etiology of any current right carpal tunnel syndrome, low back disorder, cervical spine disorder, right shoulder disorder, skin disorder, and acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss, right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, and left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his active service.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus, hypertension, and a right breast scar. The claims for left wrist cyst and right wrist surgery residuals are remanded due to incomplete records. The claim for headaches is also remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection due to potential exposure to Agent Orange and other toxic substances during service. The Veteran's conditions are being reviewed in light of the PACT Act, which requires VA to provide a disability examination and medical nexus opinion when a veteran submits a compensation claim and has evidence of a disability and participation in a toxic exposure risk activity (TERA).

The Veteran's claim for sleep apnea is denied as there is no current diagnosis of the condition.,Service connection granted for major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder with panic attacks and chronic headaches. The Board finds in favor of the Veteran due to positive evidence outweighing negative evidence.,Right wrist disability service connection granted based on continuity of symptomatology since service and post-service treatment records supporting this claim.,Bilateral knee conditions and low back disability service connection remanded as additional evidence is needed.,Bilateral foot disability service connection granted based on continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Veteran's chronic sinusitis is related to military service, including exposure to Gulf War environmental hazards.,The Veteran's sleep apnea is related to her military service.,The Veteran's carpal tunnel in the bilateral hands is related to her military service.,The Veteran's generalized anxiety disorder is related to her military service.

Service connection for irritable bowel syndrome is granted. The Veteran's right and left carpal tunnel syndromes are each rated at the lowest possible level (10%) due to mild symptoms.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claims of service connection for low back disability, bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy (previously claimed as right and left leg conditions), right carpal tunnel syndrome, and left carpal tunnel syndrome. The claims are now remanded to obtain additional medical opinions regarding the etiology of these disabilities.

The Board has granted a TDIU on an extraschedular basis for the period beginning November 1, 2015. Prior to this date, the Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render him unemployable.