Wrist & hand decisions — 2025

The Board denied an earlier effective date for the grant of service connection for right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome and denied increased ratings for left and right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome prior to March 6, 2023. However, it granted a 50 percent rating but no higher for the right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome since March 6, 2023.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for right and left upper extremity neurological disorders, to include carpal tunnel syndrome, as a new VA examination is needed to determine their etiology.

The Board remands the issues of entitlement to service connection for bilateral upper extremity radiculopathy and a bilateral hand condition (other than carpal tunnel syndrome), including numbness, arthritis, bilateral Dupuytren's contracture, and other specified forms of arthropathy due to incomplete development.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD due to MST and denied service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than PTSD, a scar from hernia surgery, a bowel condition, carpal tunnel syndrome in both upper extremities, and tinnitus.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as well as remanded several other claims.

The Board denied a compensable initial rating for hypertension and remanded the claims for service connection for cervical spine disorder, right carpal tunnel disorder, left carpal tunnel disorder, bilateral upper extremity varicose veins, and bilateral lower extremity varicose veins.

The Board remands the claims for service connection for earache, bilateral wrist, left index finger, and right middle finger disabilities due to inadequate medical opinions.

The Board denied service connection for left foot plantar fasciitis and remanded claims for service connection for left wrist tendonitis, right wrist tendonitis, right lower extremity (RLE) peripheral neuropathy, and right hand numbness.

The appeal concerning the propriety of the rating reductions for the Veteran's right distal fibula disability and tinea pedis was dismissed, while SMC based on the need for aid and attendance was granted prior to February 20, 2024.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection, as well as a TDIU.

The appeals for service connection for bilateral eye, left index finger, and left wrist disabilities were dismissed due to a prohibited concurrent election under the modernized review system. The appeal for respiratory disability was withdrawn by the Veteran.

The Board denied service connection for migraine headaches, right hand carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), and erectile dysfunction as the evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were incurred in or caused by active service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for various disabilities, including left foot disorder, chronic left wrist sprain, and other hand injuries, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings.

The Board granted service connection for PTSD, but denied service connection for a disability of the arms, hypertension, CTS of the left hand, bursitis of the right hip, and a left elbow disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for left wrist degenerative arthritis and remanded claims for service connection for a left knee disorder, a left hip disorder, and bilateral hearing loss.

The appeal was dismissed due to the Veteran's death during the pendency of the appeal.

The Board denied service connection for hearing loss and denied an increased rating for right wrist sprain, but granted a 20 percent initial rating for thoracolumbar strain.

The Board denied service connection for a back disability and denied initial ratings in excess of the current assigned ratings for various disabilities, including anxiety disorder, GERD, tinnitus, knee pain, wrist sprain, foot conditions, and scars.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left and right wrist disabilities, as there was no evidence of a chronic disability in service or within one year of separation, continuity of symptomatology, or a nexus between the current disabilities and an in-service injury.

The Board remands the issue of entitlement to service connection for right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome due to an inadequate VA medical opinion.