Wrist & hand decisions — 2026

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's right and left wrist and hand conditions, finding that her current disabilities are at least as likely as not related to in-service injury.

The Veteran's claim for DEA benefits under 38 U.S.C. Chapter 35 was granted effective April 17, 2024, based on his multiple service-connected disabilities. The Board found that the earliest possible effective date is April 17, 2024, which the Veteran has been granted and believes to be the correct date.

The Veteran's claim for an earlier effective date for service connection of his eye disability was granted. His claim for a compensable rating for sinusitis was also granted, and he is entitled to a higher rating for headaches, CTS of the right hand, and left knee disability.

The Veteran's service connection for CTS, left, is granted. The claim for a separate disability manifested by left hand pain that is distinct from CTS, left, is denied due to lack of evidence supporting such a condition.

The Veteran's service connection claims for vitiligo, bilateral hand degenerative arthritis, and bilateral distal radioulnar osteoarthritis have been granted.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development due to non-compliance with previous directives. The Veteran's left hand CTS and left hamstring disability are being reviewed for service connection, considering whether they are aggravated by his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's right wrist carpal tunnel and left wrist carpal tunnel have been granted service connection.,The Veteran's heart disability, including coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, and hypertensive heart disease, has also been granted service connection.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings for various orthopedic and dermatological conditions are being remanded due to the need for updated VA examinations.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for increased disability evaluations for lumbosacral strain, right knee strain, and right wrist sprain due to inadequate examinations in previous VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and opinions regarding his claimed disabilities, as well as errors in the pre-decisional duty to assist.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral ankle condition, right wrist condition, and allergic rhinitis due to lack of evidence showing these conditions were incurred or aggravated during active service.

The Veteran's bilateral hearing loss is currently rated at 10 percent, and the Board finds no basis to grant a higher rating.,Service connection for a right wrist disability is denied as there is no evidence of such during active duty service or otherwise related to service.,Service connection for a left knee disability is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset in service.,An initial rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's right knee strain with patellofemoral pain syndrome (right knee disability) is also remanded as there are no findings or diagnoses related to this condition during active duty service.,Service connection for a sleep disorder is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset in service.,Service connection for a disability manifested by chest pain is remanded due to insufficient evidence regarding its onset in service.

The Veteran's bilateral hallux valgus is granted service connection. The left and right wrist disabilities, as well as the left knee disability are remanded for further review.

The Veteran's bilateral foot disability, including plantar fasciitis and pes planus, is found to be at least as likely as not related to her military service. The Board also finds that the Veteran's right wrist degenerative arthritis and left wrist sprain are at least as likely as not related to her active-duty service.

The Veteran's OSA was granted service connection as it began during active duty.,Service connection for his back disability is granted, with the onset likely occurring in service or due to a pre-existing condition.,Service connection for his neck disorder is denied; the evidence does not support an in-service onset or line-of-duty injury.,The right wrist ganglion cyst claim was denied as there is no evidence of its onset during active duty.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial compensable disability rating are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions and evidence.,Specifically, the VA examiner did not provide an opinion on how the Veteran's symptoms would differ in severity without medication use.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral pes planus and a right wrist disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional medical opinions.

The Board has determined that the VA decision denying enrollment in the PCAFC program was not based on a proper application of the law and regulations, specifically regarding the definition of 'supervision, protection, or instruction' under 38 C.F.R. § 71.15. The Board therefore remands the case for further action.

The Board denied service connection for left and right hand carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as the Veteran's claim for TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The evidence did not support a nexus between the Veteran's current carpal tunnel syndromes and his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for TDIU as his service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment.