Wrist & hand decisions — 2026

The Board has dismissed all issues related to the Veteran's service connection claims for heart palpitations, right ear hearing loss disability, sinusitis, and increased ratings for various conditions. The Veteran was granted a compensable rating (10%) for left carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's claim for left carpal tunnel syndrome was denied as the effective date prior to December 29, 2011 is not granted.,The Veteran's claim for depression was denied as the effective date prior to April 21, 2020 is not granted.,A disability evaluation of 30 percent for left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome beginning on January 4, 2020 is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors and the need for a VA Gulf War examination.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal for an increased disability rating of 10 percent or more for a left wrist sprain, and the Board dismissed the appeal.

The appeals of the denials of service connection for allergic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, hearing loss, and vision loss have been withdrawn. The appeals of the denials of service connection for left shoulder disability, right hand disability, and right upper extremity CTS (claimed as radiculopathy) are remanded.

The Veteran's right thigh/hip condition is granted a 10% rating. Service connection for left elbow disorder and left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome as secondary to left elbow disorder are denied.

The Board has remanded the service connection claims for neck disability, back disability, right shoulder disability, left shoulder disability, right wrist disability, left wrist disability, left knee disability, depression, anxiety, stomach disability, and residuals of mefloquine toxicity due to a duty-to-assist error. The effective date claim for scar of the right breast is denied as there was no intent to file a claim prior to February 15, 2019.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral arm disabilities is remanded due to incomplete STRs from his Reserve service. The AOJ must attempt to obtain these records and consider the evidence of record in its decision.

The Veteran's appeal regarding service connection for various conditions has been dismissed due to their death.

The Board has remanded the claims of service connection for bilateral hip disability and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome due to a pre-decisional duty to assist error. The Veteran's statements regarding his duties in service, including lifting heavy equipment, are considered relevant.

The Veteran's surgical scars of the left wrist associated with fracture of the navicular bone of the left wrist with nonunion are rated as 10 percent from September 23, 2021. The Board has granted a higher rating to 10 percent under DC 7804.

The Veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for fracture of the navicular bone of the left wrist with nonunion is denied from September 23, 2021. The effective date for service connection for this condition is also denied prior to September 23, 2021.

The appellant withdrew their appeal for the right wrist disability claim, and as a result, the Board has dismissed this issue.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for right wrist traumatic arthritis was denied as the condition does not meet the criteria for a rating higher than 10 percent.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal of the denial of service connection for bilateral hearing loss, hypertension, right elbow injury, sleep apnea, and left wrist disability.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal before the Board could make a decision on any of the issues raised.

The Board has granted service connection for right shoulder pain, left shoulder pain, and left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome. The conditions are considered to be directly related to the Veteran's military service.

The Veteran's TDIU claim was denied because the evidence did not show that his service-connected PTSD rendered him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for his cyst, right wrist is being remanded due to the inadequacy of previous VA examinations and the need for a comprehensive evaluation.

The Veteran's bilateral knee strain, lumbosacral strain, and migraine and tension headaches are found to have had their onset during service. Service connection is granted for these conditions.,The Veteran's preexisting bilateral pes cavus was aggravated by active duty service. Service connection is granted for this condition.