Wrist & hand decisions — 2026

The Veteran's attempts to appeal his service connection claims for left and right carpal tunnel syndrome were dismissed because he concurrently filed a Notice of Disagreement (NOD) seeking review at the Board level, which is not allowed under VA regulations.

The Veteran's service-connected post-operative transabdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy with resolving tender incision is found to be the cause of her diagnosed disabilities, including cervical spine degenerative arthritis, left knee degenerative arthritis, patellofemoral degenerative arthritis, right knee degenerative arthritis, patellofemoral degenerative arthritis status post arthroscopy, left shoulder degenerative arthritis, right hand degenerative arthritis, and right wrist degenerative arthritis.

The Board denied service connection for chronic abdominal hernia, left and right foot disorders, and wrist disorders. The evidence did not support a finding of current disabilities or an in-service incurrence.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU and DEA benefits effective July 5, 2017. The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected disabilities rendered him unemployable since January 31, 2016.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for annual VA clothing allowances for use of a left wrist brace, right wrist brace, and LSO due to lack of service connection for the conditions these devices are used to treat.

The Board has denied service connection for frostbite residuals and remanded the issues of service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome (including underlying service connection for hypothyroidism) and nonservice-connected pension.

The Board dismissed the appeals for service connection of left ankle and right wrist disabilities due to a procedural defect in failing to file a timely appeal within one year from the March 2018 rating decision.

The Board denied service connection for left elbow tendinitis, bladder disability, epididymitis, penile condition/vasectomy, left testicular disability, right foot disability, left knee disability, left wrist disability, right wrist disability, and right ankle sprain/right shoulder disability due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to the Veteran's service.

The Veteran's left wrist disability is currently rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5215. The Board finds that additional development is necessary due to the ameliorative effects of medication and lack of consideration of ankylosis.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for rheumatoid arthritis secondary to his right wrist injury during active duty is being remanded due to a lack of sufficient rationale in the January 2024 VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran requires personal care services due to his psychiatric, musculoskeletal, and neurological disorders for at least six continuous months. The appeal is remanded to determine if it is in the best interest of the Veteran to participate in the PCAFC program.

The Veteran's current obstructive sleep apnea is granted as secondary to service-connected posttraumatic stress disorder.,The Veteran's current right wrist peripheral neuropathy is granted as secondary to service-connected syringomyelia.,The Veteran's nerve damage, back remains in dispute and will be remanded for further evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and knee conditions prevent her from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have caused severe impairment requiring the regular aid and attendance of his wife to protect him from daily hazards, with the first indications documented in a March 20, 2016 statement. The Board granted SMC based on this need starting from March 20, 2016.

The Board has found that the Veteran requires personal care services for at least six continuous months based on an inability to perform activities of daily living. The claim is remanded to determine if participation in the PCAFC program would be in the Veteran's best interest.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to their death during the pendency of the appeal. The Board cannot issue a decision on the underlying claims at this time.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea secondary to service-connected lumbar spine and bilateral knee disabilities. The claims of service connection for hypertension, fatigue, left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, left upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, right upper extremity diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and a neck condition are remanded due to duty-to-assist errors.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for right shoulder, wrist, and hip pain due to gout are being remanded due to errors in VA's duty to assist and statutory duties under the PACT Act. The AOJ will be directed to obtain VA treatment records from the Augusta Healthcare System and provide proper notice regarding the unavailability of prior Columbia, South Carolina Healthcare System records. A VA examination for joint pain due to gout is also required.

The Veteran's right breast gynecomastia did not result in significantly disabling impairment of the skin and is therefore denied an initial compensable rating.,There is no evidence of a current right ear hearing loss disability for VA purposes, and thus service connection for this condition is denied.,Service connection for left ear hearing loss is also denied as there was no showing of a relationship between the Veteran's military noise exposure and his current hearing loss.,The Veteran's claimed left finger disability did not have its onset during active service and is therefore not service connected.,Similarly, the right finger disability did not have its onset during active service and is also not service connected.,Lumbosacral strain, left elbow disability, and right elbow disability are all denied as there was no showing of a relationship between these conditions and the Veteran's military service.,Left wrist sprain is also denied as it did not have its onset during active service and is not otherwise etiologically related to such service.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for a left foot condition has been dismissed due to a duty to assist error.,Service connection is granted for tinnitus, with reasonable doubt resolved in favor of the Veteran.