Wrist & hand decisions — 2024

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for tension headaches and has remanded his claims for service connection of right and left wrist disorders, including carpal tunnel syndrome. The decision is binding only with respect to the specific issues decided.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is remanded as the VA examiner has not distinguished between her service-connected right wrist sprain and nonservice-connected CTS, which could impact her ability to work.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for back and hip disabilities due to inadequate VA opinions. The Veteran's temporary total disability rating claim was denied as there is no evidence of one or more months of convalescence following his surgeries.

The Board has dismissed the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a right elbow/wrist condition due to the grant of service connection for right upper extremity neuropathy with cubital tunnel syndrome. The issues of increased ratings for various fingers remain before the Board.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for chest pain (claimed as chest pain and hypertension) and tendonitis of the right hip, bilateral ankles, right wrist, and thumbs. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions are related to service.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings was withdrawn by the Veteran during a Board hearing.,The Veteran's left thigh disability is now rated at 10 percent, effective from July 17, 2017.

The Veteran's CTS of the right and left upper extremities have been rated based on their severity. The RO granted service connection for both conditions, but denied higher ratings and earlier effective dates.

The Veteran's service connection claims for various conditions are being remanded due to insufficient evidence. The Board will seek further medical opinions regarding the onset and relationship of these conditions to his military service.

The Board has granted service connection for a left-hand injury and remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The Veteran's current conditions are being evaluated further to determine if they are related to his military service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal regarding reopening of service connection for various conditions, including traumatic brain injury and skin disability, needs to be remanded due to procedural issues. The VA will issue a Statement of the Case (SOC) addressing these issues.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, effective December 5, 2016.,For the period from December 5, 2016, the symptoms of the Veteran's right fifth finger condition are most closely analogous to painful motion at or proximal to the proximal interphalangeal joint.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus as diagnosed disabilities, and thus cannot be granted service connection for these conditions.,For RUE CTS and LUE CTS, the claims are being remanded due to insufficient evidence of a current disability.

The Board has decided to remand the claims for service connection of various disabilities, including obstructive sleep apnea, lumbar spine disability, left foot disability, right hand carpal tunnel disability, and left hand carpal tunnel disability. The AOJ must attempt to obtain the Veteran's military exit medical examination report and entire military personnel record.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is rated at 10 percent, and the Board found no evidence of ankylosis or other conditions warranting a higher rating.,For his left tibia/fibula fractures, the Veteran was initially rated at 10 percent. The VA examiner noted that there was no ankylosis or functional equivalent of ankylosis, leading to a denial of a higher rating.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral wrist conditions, including skin problems and scars, finding that there is no evidence to support a link between these conditions and his time in service.

The Board has remanded the cases due to inadequate development and lack of compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran's back, left wrist, and left shoulder disabilities are being reviewed for service connection.

The Board found that the withholding of VA compensation for 60 days of FY 2014 was proper because the Veteran received concurrent pay and thus, the adjustment (withholding) was valid.

The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome, associated with his left wrist fracture, is granted a separate rating of 30 percent. The left wrist disability remains at the maximum 10 percent rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome is directly related to his military service, specifically his duties as a heavy equipment operator. The decision grants service connection for this condition.

The Veteran's appeal for a higher evaluation for her service-connected right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome is remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations and records.