Wrist & hand decisions — 2026

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bursitis in the bilateral hips, degenerative arthritis (osteoarthritis) in the right hip, degenerative arthritis (osteoarthritis) in the bilateral wrists, or degenerative arthritis (osteoarthritis) in the bilateral elbows. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's service connection claims for Lyme disease, left upper and right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome, a left shoulder disability, and sinusitis have all been granted.,All conditions were found to be related to the Veteran's active duty service.

The Veteran's bilateral wrist carpal tunnel syndrome is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board has determined that a higher rating is not warranted based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's motion for revision of a January 1999 rating decision on the basis of clear and unmistakable error (CUE) with respect to the denial of service connection for a right wrist disability was denied. The initial rating of 30 percent for a jaw condition from October 1, 1997 to August 3, 2023 is granted, but higher ratings are not warranted.

The Veteran's service connection claim for left knee arthritis has been granted. The claims for left foot conditions, right foot conditions, and headaches have been remanded.

The Veteran's right wrist condition is rated at 20 percent for the entire period on appeal, and his knee conditions are rated appropriately based on their severity.

The Board has granted service connection for sleep apnea and remanded the issues of bilateral wrist, knee, and ankle disabilities due to joint pain. The decision is pending further development.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea. The remaining issues of service connection for various joint disabilities are remanded due to a duty to assist error.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left knee condition, bilateral hearing loss, right upper neuropathy condition, and acquired psychiatric condition other than his service-connected PTSD.,There is no current evidence of a diagnosed condition in any of these areas.

The Veteran withdrew all his claims related to PTSD, depression, insomnia, anxiety, and nervousness, as well as various left and right foot, hip, shoulder, and wrist conditions. The appeal is dismissed.

Service connection for bilateral pes planus, lumbar spine intervertebral disc syndrome, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is granted.,Readjudication of the claims for service connection for a right wrist scar and a right wrist muscle injury are warranted.

The Board has determined that the Centralized Eligibility and Appeals Team (CEAT) decision denying the Veteran's eligibility for the Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) is inadequate due to insufficient reasoning. The appeal is being remanded to obtain a more detailed medical opinion addressing the Veteran's need for personal care services, supervision, and protection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings due to incomplete records, including a lack of color photographs of his scars. The claims are being returned to the agency that made the initial decision.

The Board has granted service connection for right wrist degenerative arthritis, left wrist degenerative arthritis, and hearing loss. The decision is remanded for further action on the claims of an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left thumb degenerative arthritis, left long finger degenerative arthritis, left second (index) finger metacarpal joint arthritis, left ring finger degenerative arthritis, and left little finger degenerative arthritis.

The Board has determined that new and relevant evidence has been received with respect to all the service connection claims on appeal. The claims are being remanded for further development, including obtaining VA examinations and medical opinions to determine the nature and etiology of the claimed conditions.

The Board denied service connection for PTSD and depression, and denied entitlement to a total disability rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities (TDIU). The Veteran's current psychiatric disorder is not related to his active duty service. His left wrist sprain does not meet the criteria for TDIU.

The Board has granted clothing allowances for right knee braces and right wrist brace, but denied the allowance for left wrist brace due to lack of service-connected condition.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for right elbow strain is dismissed. The claim for service connection for a right wrist condition, including right wrist strain and carpal tunnel syndrome, is granted but remanded for further development.

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

The Board denied the Veteran's appeal for service connection for GERD, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), dysphagia, frequent urination, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), bilateral upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), rash on face, right shoulder pain, sleep apnea, upper back pain, and vertigo due to the untimely filing of the appeal request.