Wrist & hand decisions — 2024

The Veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, right upper extremity is granted. The Board finds new and material evidence has been received that raises a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Veteran's flat feet disability, including pes planus and plantar fasciitis (flat feet), is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's back disability is granted as service-connected. The examiner noted that the in-service training did not cause or aggravate her current back condition.,The Veteran's depression is granted as service-connected based on in-service incidents.,The Veteran's left knee disability is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's cervical spine disability is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's right shoulder disability is granted as service-connected.,The Veteran's right arm disability (including elbow and wrist disabilities) is remanded for further evaluation.,The Veteran's right ankle disability is remanded for further evaluation.,The Veteran's left ankle disability is remanded for further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various right hand, wrist, ankle, knee, and shoulder disorders due to incomplete examinations and lack of consideration of functional loss.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus are found to be related to service, granting service connection for these conditions.,Service connection is granted for the Veteran's headaches. The Board finds that a VA examination is needed to determine if his current hand/wrist disabilities are related to service.

The Board has remanded the claims for thoracolumbar spine degenerative disc disease, bilateral hearing loss, and residuals of a left little finger amputation due to incomplete medical records. The Veteran's service connection claims have been granted in full.

The Veteran's left wrist fracture residuals are granted a 10% rating beginning August 15, 2013. The issue of service connection for his respiratory disability is remanded.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as sleep apnea, are being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet the criteria for a TDIU. The issues of service connection and evaluations for right wrist strain, sciatica of the left lower extremity, and sciatica of the right lower extremity are remanded.

The Board has remanded the claims for low back, wrist, knee, ankle and elbow disorders due to insufficient medical opinions. The inflammatory arthritis claim is also remanded as it involves potential exposure in Southwest Asia.

The Veteran's service-connected right wrist disability does not prevent him from securing or following a substantially gainful occupation, and he has failed to complete the necessary VA Form 21-8940. Therefore, his claim for TDIU is denied.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of right wrist injury, infiltrative keratitis of the left eye, and chronic bronchitis due to lack of evidence showing a current disability or etiology related to service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left wrist disability began during his active duty service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left ankle and right wrist disorders due to outstanding VA treatment records. Additional medical opinions are needed regarding the etiology of these conditions.

The Board denied increased disability ratings for right and left carpal tunnel syndrome with peripheral neuropathy, finding that the current severity of symptoms does not warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral pes planus, carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity, carpal tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity, and bilateral hernias due to outstanding service treatment records. The issue of special monthly compensation based on housebound status prior to January 20, 2021, is also remanded as it may be affected by these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have prevented him from obtaining and maintaining any form of gainful employment for the entire period on appeal, meeting the criteria for a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus and bilateral hearing loss. The Veteran's low back, wrist, knee, and foot disabilities are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that further medical opinions are needed to determine if the Veteran's shoulder and arm conditions are related to his service-connected knee disabilities, as well as whether they were aggravated by those disabilities. The claims for secondary service connection will be remanded.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for neck, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral wrist disabilities was dismissed as the substantive appeal did not include these issues.

The Board has ordered a remand for further development, including obtaining new VA examinations to address the Veteran's claims of service connection and ratings for her knee and headache disabilities. The specific issues are related to right carpal tunnel syndrome, tension headaches, right knee DJD with meniscal tear, left knee meniscus tear status post arthroscopy with DJD, and left knee instability.