Wrist & hand decisions — 2026

The Board has determined that the Veteran's pre-existing left wrist disability was aggravated by an in-service injury, and service connection is granted.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a right wrist disability and left hand disability due to inadequate VA opinions. The Veteran's lay statements regarding in-service injuries are considered, along with post-service medical evidence.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's appeal for service connection remains pending regarding his bilateral feet, left hand, left wrist, and diabetes. The issues of an initial compensable rating for bilateral plantar fasciitis, residuals of a laceration to the fingers of the left hand, service connection for diabetes, and service connection for a left wrist sprain are remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to accurately assess the Veteran's bilateral upper extremity disabilities, specifically left and right wrist CTS with associated radiculopathy and nerve impingement. The remand requires obtaining supplemental VA medical opinions to address the severity of these conditions without considering the ameliorative effects of medication.

The Board has granted service connection for right arm lateral epicondylitis (elbow condition), left arm lateral epicondylitis (elbow condition), right wrist sprain, left wrist sprain, and right ganglion cyst. Service connection was also granted for bilateral wrist carpal tunnel syndrome.,Service connection is denied for bilateral trigger finger conditions.

The Board has remanded the claims for bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, carpal tunnel syndrome of the upper extremities, low back disability, eye disabilities, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, prostate cancer, and SMC at the housebound rate due to deficiencies in obtaining Social Security Administration (SSA) records related to the Veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right wrist degenerative arthritis is causally related to his active military service, and thus grants entitlement to service connection for this condition.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including arthritis of the hands and knees, carpal tunnel syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, heart disability, and erectile dysfunction. The appeals are denied as there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Veteran withdrew his appeal concerning the revision of his carpal tunnel syndrome evaluation, which was previously considered as tingling in his right hand. The Board dismissed the appeal.

The Veteran's migraine headache disability is granted service connection. The other conditions are denied as there is no current evidence of these disabilities.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to correct a pre-decisional duty to assist error and remands the case for further action.

The Veteran's right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome was granted service connection effective September 30, 2023.,Service connection for right shoulder, back, and left finger disabilities were also granted effective September 30, 2023.

The Veteran's left wrist ganglion cyst and migraine headaches have been granted service connection.,Service connection for chronic left thumb sprain has been denied.

The Board has granted service connection for right wrist disability and chronic chest pain, finding that both conditions are etiologically related to service.

The Board has remanded the claim for SMC based on aid and attendance due to a pre-decisional error in not considering evidence submitted by the Veteran within the applicable evidentiary window. The AOJ is required to obtain an opinion from an appropriate clinician regarding whether the Veteran's service-connected disabilities result in the need for A&A.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and right wrist condition are being remanded due to duty-to-assist errors, including obtaining medical opinions related to the PACT Act exposure. The Veteran is presumed exposed to burn pit toxins during his service in Afghanistan.

The Board has found that new medical records received after the previous denial support the Veteran's claims for service connection of left carpal tunnel syndrome, hidradenitis suppurativa, and chronic fatigue syndrome. The AOJ is required to readjudicate these claims.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with effective dates for service connection and disability ratings related to the appellant's right wrist scar and CTS.

The Veteran's service-connected left wrist disability, vertigo, and tinnitus have prevented him from securing and maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board has determined that he is entitled to a TDIU based on these conditions.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, left upper extremity was dismissed as the AOJ granted a separate claim of service connection in December 2025.