Wrist & hand decisions — 2025

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date of February 24, 2021, for the award of a 50 percent rating for service-connected migraines was granted. The claims for service connection for skin condition, right wrist condition, and left foot condition were remanded for further development.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed conditions as there was no evidence of a current disability, in-service incurrence or aggravation, and no nexus between the current complaints and service.

The Board granted an effective date of July 11, 2022, for a 30 percent rating for IBS with GERD and August 20, 2009, for a 10 percent rating for left wrist tendonitis. The claims for earlier effective dates for the 60 percent rating for psoriasis and 10 percent rating for right wrist tendonitis were denied.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral plantar fasciitis, a bilateral elbow condition, a bilateral hip condition, a bilateral knee condition, a bilateral wrist condition, a left ankle condition, a neck condition, an eye strain, and a sinus condition.

The Board granted service connection for left and right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that the Veteran's duties as an aerospace ground equipment maintenance technician during periods of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) and inactive duty for training (INACDUTRA) caused his condition.

The Board granted service connection for left foot plantar fasciitis, right wrist ganglion cyst, right knee disorder and left knee disorder as they are related to the Veteran's active-duty service.

The Board granted service connection for left and right carpal tunnel syndrome, right and left knee disabilities, and an initial rating of 30 percent for chronic sinusitis and 10 percent for chronic rhinitis. The claim for a compensable rating for tension headaches associated with cervical spine strain was denied.

The Board granted a 50 percent rating for right carpal tunnel syndrome and service connection for chronic elbow pain/arm pain/hand pain as secondary to the service-connected right carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board granted service connection for tinnitus, resolving all reasonable doubt in the Veteran's favor. The other claims were remanded for further development.

The Veteran's representative withdrew the appeal, and the Board dismissed all issues on appeal.

The Board granted a 100 percent rating for PTSD with major depressive disorder and TBI, service connection for female sexual arousal disorder secondary to the service-connected conditions, and special monthly compensation at the housebound rate. The appeal regarding entitlement to a TDIU was dismissed as moot.

The Board denied service connection for an eye condition, carpal tunnel syndrome, and diabetes mellitus with erectile dysfunction. However, it granted a 70% rating for PTSD and separate 10% ratings for diabetic neuropathy of the right and left lower extremities.

The Board denied service connection for various bilateral musculoskeletal conditions and obstructive sleep apnea as they were not related to the Veteran's service or a service-connected disability.

The Board remands the claims for service connection due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error in failing to obtain the Veteran's complete service treatment records.

The Board remands the claims for service connection and a higher rating due to inadequate medical evidence.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for hearing loss, tinnitus, lumbar spine disorder, left knee disorder, right shoulder disorder, bilateral ankle disorder, and bilateral wrist disorder due to errors in scheduling VA examinations.

The Board granted service connection for residuals of a left wrist fracture, finding that the injury occurred during assigned alternate cardio and was documented by an LOD determination.

The Board remands the claims for service connection and increased evaluation of various conditions due to a request for information regarding the competence of the VA examiners who provided expert medical opinions.

The appeals for service connection for right wrist, left wrist, and left knee disorders were dismissed as the Veteran withdrew them. Service connection was denied for cervical spine and thoracolumbar spine disorders due to lack of evidence supporting a causal relationship between the current conditions and military service.

The Board remands the Veteran's claim for service connection for a right wrist disability due to a need for an addendum opinion.