Wrist & hand decisions — 2025

The Board granted service connection for right wrist disability and assigned a 100% rating. It denied increased ratings for cervical spine, left upper extremity radiculopathy, and left wrist disabilities.

The Board remands the claims for further development and evidence collection, as some relevant private treatment records have not been obtained.

The Board denied an earlier effective date for service connection for left carpal tunnel syndrome and left cubital tunnel syndrome, as the evidence did not support an effective date before October 26, 2019.

The Board granted service connection for irritable bowel syndrome as secondary to an acquired psychiatric condition, but denied service connection for erectile dysfunction and left hip strain. The initial ratings for left wrist tendonitis and gastroesophageal reflux disease were also denied.

The Board denied service connection for right wrist, left ankle, and bilateral foot disorders due to the lack of evidence supporting current disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for COPD, left and right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, and monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance. A compensable rating for COPD was denied.

The Board denied service connection for residuals of herpes zoster (shingles), left wrist condition, and migraine headaches as the evidence did not support a current diagnosis or a link to service.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including a bilateral foot condition, left and right ankle conditions, hand conditions, knee conditions, shoulder conditions, wrist conditions, and a back condition, as the evidence did not show current diagnoses or that these conditions were related to active duty.

The Board remands the claims for a lumbar spine disability, radiculopathy of both lower extremities, right shoulder and wrist disabilities, and an acquired psychiatric disorder to obtain additional VA medical opinions.

The Board granted service connection for vitiligo, a right wrist disorder, and a chronic respiratory disorder due to undiagnosed illness. The claim for a compensable rating for right ear hearing loss was denied.

The Veteran was granted service connection for lipoma on the back and scars, secondary to lipoma excision. The claims for an earlier effective date for lumbosacral strain and left wrist sprain were denied.

The case is remanded to the RO for adjudication of a CUE claim regarding an earlier effective date and rating for left wrist tendonitis.

The Board granted earlier effective dates for service connection of various conditions, including fingers and wrists, but denied earlier effective dates for diabetic peripheral neuropathy, nephropathy, erectile dysfunction, and prostate cancer residuals.

The Board granted ratings of 10 percent for allergic rhinitis, 30 percent for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) right upper extremity, and 30 percent for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), while denying a rating in excess of 70 percent for depressive disorder. The IVDS lumbar spine was granted a 40 percent rating, with separate ratings of 20 percent each for the left and right lower extremities.

The Board granted service connection for degenerative disc disease of the cervical spine and carpal tunnel syndrome based on continuity of symptomatology since separation from service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for right and left carpal tunnel syndrome to correct multiple pre-decisional duty to assist errors, including obtaining outstanding military records and an adequate VA opinion.

The Board granted service connection for sleep apnea and a rating of 40 percent for status post total right knee replacement (right TKR), while denying increased ratings for the other conditions.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and sleep disturbance, and remanded the claims for a right wrist disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, right leg disability, left leg disability, and bilateral foot disability.

The Board remands the case for a new VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's right upper extremity condition, including whether it is related to service or toxic exposure.

All appeals for higher ratings, decreased ratings, and service connection claims have been dismissed as the Veteran has already appealed these issues to the Board.