Wrist & hand decisions — 2024

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a 40% rating effective February 19, 2021.,Right wrist and costochondritis disabilities were each granted a 10% rating effective September 21, 2020.,Service connection for sleep apnea was established with an effective date of June 29, 2021.,Service connection for cervical spine disability was denied.,TDIU was granted.

The Veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for right wrist strain and carpal tunnel syndrome are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess the severity of his conditions.

The Board has granted service connection for right knee strain, right shoulder strain, and right wrist strain, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are at least as likely as not related to her in-service fall.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an effective date prior to May 23, 2022 for a 20 percent evaluation for left cubital tunnel. The evidence did not support finding that an earlier effective date was warranted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome due to conflicting VA opinions regarding a current diagnosis and the need for additional development.

The Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. 1151 for prostate cancer, and service connection for right and left carpal tunnel syndrome have all been denied due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to VA treatment or service.

The Board's decision is partially vacated, addressing the issues of service connection for right knee disability, right shoulder disability, and right wrist disability. These were not appealed in the June 21, 2022 VA Form 10182.

The Veteran's OSA is granted as secondary to his service-connected adjustment disorder. His left knee disability remains at a 10% rating, and the right wrist tendonitis claim is remanded.

The Board has determined that the VA did not make reasonable efforts to obtain all relevant private treatment records and additional medical examinations are needed to assess the severity of the appellant's disabilities. The claims for increased ratings will be remanded.

The Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to his service-connected right wrist, left knee, and foot disabilities.

The Veteran's gastric ulcer with erosive gastroduodenitis is granted an initial 20 percent rating.,Other service connection claims are remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for right ear hearing loss was denied, and his initial rating for right carpal tunnel syndrome and radiculopathy was granted at a 40% level. The Veteran does not meet the criteria for service connection due to right ear hearing loss as defined by VA regulations. His right carpal tunnel syndrome and radiculopathy are currently rated at 40%.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right wrist disability, cervical spine disability, and right ankle disability due to lack of evidence showing current disabilities. The claim for low back pain is remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been granted, with effective dates of August 24, 2021. The Veteran now has a 40% rating for lumbosacral strain, 20% ratings for left carpal tunnel syndrome and cervical strain, and tinnitus is service connected.

The Veteran's Bell's palsy, blood clots, carpel tunnel syndrome, onychophagia, blepharitis OU, and allergies were not found to be related to service.,No compensable rating was assigned for bilateral hearing loss.

The Veteran's right wrist disability, which includes a scaphoid fracture and degenerative arthritis with fusion surgery, is rated at 40 percent effective January 1, 2021. The claim for increased rating was granted but the issues of service connection for right hand and finger disabilities as secondary to his right wrist disability, and for a right knee disability, are being remanded.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that the Veteran's symptoms began during her military service and have persisted since.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have any current psychiatric or neuropathic disorders, and therefore service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's left upper extremity radial nerve neuralgia is currently rated at 40 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Veteran's sleep apnea is considered caused or aggravated by his service-connected conditions, including PTSD, migraine headaches, hypertension, right wrist sprain, left lower extremity radiculopathy, asthma, lumbar degenerative disc disease, GERD, and IBS.