Wrist & hand decisions — 2025

The Board remands the claim for a left wrist condition to correct an error by the AOJ in satisfying a regulatory duty related to notice of the right to a pre-decisional hearing.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral Dupuytren's contracture and carpal tunnel syndrome, finding the evidence to be in at least approximate balance as to whether these conditions are related to service.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for right and left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome as the January 2025 VA examiner's examination was inadequate.

The Board granted service connection for left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, an acquired psychiatric disability (persistent depressive disorder), and migraine headaches as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected left thalamic and brain stem strokes. The claim for a higher initial rating for the stroke was remanded, along with claims for TDIU prior to September 13, 2018, and erectile dysfunction.

The Board granted service connection for a low back disability and a right Achilles tendon disability, while dismissing the appeal for a right ankle disability. The other claims were remanded for further development.

The Board granted a 10 percent rating for impetigo and denied all other claims for increased ratings.

The Board dismissed the claims for service connection for bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and a lower back disability due to improper concurrent elections of review options. The claims for gallbladder disorder, gastral hernia, and right upper extremity carpal tunnel were denied as there was no evidence of current disabilities.

The Board denied initial ratings in excess of 10 percent for right and left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, finding the Veteran's symptoms approximated no worse than mild incomplete paralysis.

The Board denied all claims for increased ratings, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating for any of the conditions.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death while it was pending before the Board of Veterans' Appeals.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have resulted in the need for regular aid and attendance, granting special monthly compensation.

The Board granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder, while denying service connection for hypertension, a left arm disability, a left lower extremity neurological disability, a right lower extremity neurological disability, and left knee pain. The Board also granted ratings of 70%, 10%, and 30% for posttraumatic stress disorder with unspecified depressive disorder, dry eye syndrome, and gastroesophageal reflux disease with irritable bowel syndrome, respectively.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for various conditions, including hearing loss and musculoskeletal disorders, due to inadequate medical examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for a right wrist disability, painful scars of the left ring finger and right wrist, right wrist scar, left ring finger scar, and left ring finger disability, status post ganglion cyst removal.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including a right wrist condition, chest pain, bronchitis, a respiratory condition, and trouble breathing from COVID-19. The claims were based on the lack of evidence showing current disabilities or functional impairment related to active duty.

The Board dismissed the issues of service connection for GERD, hepatitis, nausea, a stomach disability, strep throat, and bilateral hearing loss. The remaining issues are remanded for further development.

The Board denied an initial compensable rating for tension headache and remanded the claims for service connection for unspecified abdominal pain, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left carpal tunnel syndrome, low back disorder, left leg paralysis of the sciatic nerve (secondary to a service-connected condition), left foot plantar fasciitis (secondary to a service-connected condition), and tinnitus.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed conditions, including left and right knee disabilities, a left shoulder disability, a right wrist burn, head scars, as well as other conditions that were remanded.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for rib disorder, reflex sympathetic dystrophy, fibromyalgia, respiratory disorder, skin condition, to include psoriasis, bilateral hand arthritis, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and bilateral ulnar neuropathy. However, the claims for service connection for bilateral hand arthritis, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral ulnar neuropathy, hypertension, rib disorder, reflex sympathetic dystrophy, fibromyalgia, respiratory disorder, and skin condition, to include psoriasis, have been denied.

The Board granted the Veteran's claim for an allowance for an automobile or other conveyance, and adaptive equipment due to permanent loss of use of one hand resulting from service-connected disabilities.