Wrist & hand decisions — 2025

The Board denied service connection for left and right carpal tunnel syndrome as there is no evidence linking the conditions to the Veteran's active-duty service.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral tinnitus and right ear hearing loss, but denied service connection for right shoulder disability, obstructive sleep apnea, low back disability, left ear hearing loss, erectile dysfunction, migraine headaches, special monthly compensation based on loss of use of creative organ, and remanded claims for service connection for right wrist, cervical spine, and irritable bowel syndrome.

The Board denied an initial evaluation in excess of 50 percent for unspecified depressive disorder and granted special monthly compensation based on need for regular aid and attendance. The claim for service connection for hypertension was remanded.

The Board denied service connection for right and left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome as there was no evidence of onset in service or a current diagnosis during the pendency of the claim.

The claims for service connection and increased rating are remanded for the AOJ to provide notice of the right to a pre-decisional hearing.

The Board granted service connection for left hand arthritis with osteopenia, finding the evidence to be in approximate balance as to whether current left-hand arthritis with osteopenia is attributable to degenerative changes noted during service. The claim for left wrist arthritis was remanded for further development.

The Veteran is granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability (TDIU) due to service-connected disabilities effective April 20, 2015.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a right wrist fracture disability, low back disability, and glaucoma as there was no evidence to support that these conditions were related to his active duty service.

The Board remands the claims for further development, including obtaining a VA examination and opinion to determine the nature and etiology of the Veteran's obstructive sleep apnea and urinary bladder cancer, as well as scheduling the Veteran for VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.

The Board granted service connection for a right wrist condition, finding that the evidence supports a causal link between the Veteran's current condition and an injury sustained during active military service.

The Board remands the claims for an initial rating higher than 10 percent for right wrist disability and entitlement to a TDIU due to an inadequate VA examination.

The Board denied service connection for multiple conditions, including TBI, psychiatric disabilities, cervical and lumbar spine issues, knee strains, shoulder and wrist conditions, and a ventral hernia. The Veteran's claims were not supported by evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation and the current presence of related disabilities.

The Board granted readjudication of the claims for service connection for psychiatric disability, lumbosacral spine disability, gastrointestinal disability, bilateral wrist disability, and bilateral eye conditions based on new evidence being presented.

The Board denied service connection for a hearing loss disability associated with the right ear and an initial compensable rating for left ear hearing loss, as well as remanded claims for service connection for a right-hand or wrist disability and a back disability.

The Board remands the claims for additional development, including obtaining new VA examinations and addressing potential secondary service connection issues.

The Board granted service connection for cervical spine, lumbar spine, right knee, left knee, right ankle, left ankle, left hip, and left wrist disabilities, as well as tinnitus.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection for cervical strain, left wrist condition, left ankle condition, anxiety, and depression due to a withdrawal of the appeal by the Veteran.

The appeal for service connection for a right wrist ganglion cyst and neuroma was dismissed because the claim was granted by the RO in September 2024, granting the full benefit sought on appeal.

The appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and increased ratings for right shoulder tendonitis and right wrist tendonitis has been withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for multiple residual scars due to left inguinal hernia repair, left carpal tunnel release, and left knee surgeries.