Wrist & hand decisions — 2026

The Veteran's residuals of a left wrist ganglion cyst excision are rated at 10 percent, the minimum compensable rating. The condition is characterized by pain and limited range of motion.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for the grant of individual unemployability (TDIU) is denied as he does not meet the schedular criteria for TDIU on a schedular basis, and there is no evidence to support an earlier effective date based on extraschedular considerations.

The Board has reopened the service connection claims for residuals of lumbar strain, right shoulder strain, right wrist strain, bilateral ankle sprain with degenerative joint disease, and sleep apnea as secondary to PTSD. The new evidence supports a finding that these conditions are related to military service.

The Veteran's claim for ED was denied as there is no current disability.,Right carpal tunnel syndrome was denied due to insufficient evidence linking it to the TERA exposure.,Left carpal tunnel syndrome was denied as the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of this condition.,Right ankle sprain and left foot pes planus were both denied because there is no current disability.,Right foot pes planus was denied due to lack of evidence.,Non-diabetic neuropathy of the right upper extremity was denied as it is currently diagnosed as right carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome was not incurred or aggravated by service, and the Board found no evidence of continuity of symptoms from service to present. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, Neurocognitive Impairment, CFS, Chronic Pain Disorder, Neck and Upper Airway Disorder, Obesity, Nephropathy, Bilateral Pes Planus, Left Knee Disorder, Left Shoulder Disorder, Right Shoulder Disorder, Right Wrist Disorder, Lumbar Spine Disorder, Bilateral Lower Extremity Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy (PN), Hearing Loss, ED, and GU Disorder. The decision is based on the absence of a current diagnosis for these conditions.

The Veteran's lung cancer, right and left wrist disabilities are remanded for further development. The acquired psychiatric disorder claim is also remanded due to the lack of attempts by the AOJ to obtain relevant medical records.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a neck disorder and bilateral ankle, elbow, hip, shoulder, wrist, upper or lower extremity neuropathy disorders, are denied as there is no competent evidence of current disabilities.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for clarifying medical opinions regarding the etiology of arthritis and neuropathy, as well as addressing Dr. C.'s opinion on risk factors.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for compensation under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 due to numbness and loss of use in both hands resulting from surgery performed by VA in June 2016.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral elbow and left wrist pain due to gout, as there was an error in satisfying a statutory duty under the PACT Act provisions when the claims were adjudicated without the benefit of a VA examination and medical opinion addressing the conceded toxic exposure risk activity (TERA) and the gout.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is in need of personal care services for a minimum of six continuous months due to his spine and wrist disabilities. The appeal is remanded to determine if participation in the PCAFC program is in the best interest of the Veteran.

The Board has determined that the Veteran is not in need of personal care services for a continuous six months due to an inability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs) or because he was in need of supervision, protection, or instruction. Therefore, eligibility for PCAFC benefits is denied.

The Veteran's bilateral upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome has been granted service connection under the PACT Act, effective August 10, 2022. The initial increased ratings for right and left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome are also granted.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is granted as his service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following substantially gainful employment.

The Board has found that the Veteran's sleep apnea and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome had their onset during service. Service connection is granted for these conditions. However, due to a duty-to-assist error in the prior decision, the claims of entitlement to service connection for left and right extremity carpal tunnel are remanded.

The Board has decided to remand the Veteran's claims for urinary incontinence, bilateral ocular hypertension, intestinal condition including colon polyps, and bilateral upper carpal tunnel syndrome due to potential errors in the pre-decisional duty to assist. The claims are being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of right ankle and right wrist injuries due to a withdrawal request from the Veteran's representative.

The Board has granted service connection for a left wrist disability, finding that the Veteran's current functional impairment and intermittent symptoms since service are related to his military service.

The Veteran's TDIU was granted effective June 8, 2023, due to his service-connected Generalized Anxiety Disorder.,The Veteran is also entitled to SMC based on housebound from June 8, 2023, as he has a single service-connected disability rated at 100% and additional disabilities independently ratable above 60%.