Wrist & hand decisions — 2026

The Veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for left wrist fracture including degenerative joint disease was granted, and the issue of increased rating for status post C5-C6 anterior cervical discectomy with fusion was withdrawn.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted based on his service-connected lumbar spine disability. The SMC housebound and aid and attendance claims are denied due to lack of evidence showing the need for regular aid and assistance.

The Board has determined that the claim for eligibility to enroll in the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) is remanded due to insufficient evidence and lack of proper notice. The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in a need for personal care services, but this determination was made without adequate medical justification or explanation.

Service connection for a left ankle disability is granted, while service connection for other joint disorders (including cervical spine, back, and shoulder) is denied.

The Veteran withdrew his appeals for all the listed conditions and rating issues, resulting in their dismissal.

The Board has dismissed the claims for service connection for cervical spine, left knee, left shoulder, left wrist, and right wrist disabilities. The claim for service connection for a lumbar spine disability is remanded.

The Veteran withdrew her appeal, so the case is dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity, left upper extremity, and cubital tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity. The Veteran's disabilities are related to his military occupational specialty as an air traffic controller.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to a lack of an opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right wrist pain is related to his military service. The VA clinician must provide an opinion on whether the condition is at least as likely as not caused by or related to his military service, and whether it clearly and unmistakably existed prior to service.

The Board has determined that the VA did not obtain necessary medical examinations for all issues on appeal and thus, remanded these cases.

The Veteran's claim for eligibility to enroll in the PCAFC program was remanded due to errors in notification and lack of a clinical determination as to whether it is in the best interest of the Veteran to participate. The AOJ must obtain medical opinions, provide proper notice, and address these issues before making a final decision.

The Veteran's right and left upper extremity nerve conditions, as well as their left hip disability, are granted secondary to service-connected disabilities. The Veteran's OSA is remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the relationship between the Veteran's current right wrist disability and his in-service injury. The claim will be returned for further development.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of atrial fibrillation, paralysis of the median nerve (right hand carpal tunnel), and bilateral knee disability. Service connection is granted for degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine with Intervertebral disc syndrome, cervical strain with degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection for elbow pain, right arm, left arm, hand arthritis, right, and hand arthritis, left. The claims for CTS of the wrists have been denied.

The Veteran's left and right carpal tunnel syndrome, along with ulnar neuropathy, are rated at 30% since March 1, 2012.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for chronic fatigue is denied as there is no current diagnosis of chronic fatigue syndrome or chronic fatigue. The Veteran does not have a compensable rating for esophagus, stricture of, and polyps (claimed as intestinal polyps, painful swallowing, GERD).,The Veteran's TMD claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's claims for scars are remanded due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's IBS and cholecystectomy claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's Hashimoto's thyroid disorder, hypothyroidism, Graves' disease claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's stress incontinence claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's sexual dysfunction and pelvic pain claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's cervical strain claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's back pain claim is remanded due to insufficient evidence.,The Veteran's left side sciatica, right side sciatica, right hand condition, left foot pain, and right foot pain claims are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for gout of the right knee, left knee, right toes, left foot, and right wrist. The claims are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted effective June 2, 2017. The DEA benefits claim for the Veteran's child or surviving spouse is also granted as of June 2, 2017. The Veteran's appeals for increased disability ratings are dismissed.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for additional examinations to determine the nature and etiology of her bilateral hip disability and right wrist disability.