Wrist & hand decisions — 2026

The Board denied service connection for a right wrist disability, finding that the Veteran's current condition is not causally related to his active duty service and does not meet the criteria for presumptive or secondary service connection.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left wrist condition, finding that it is related to an in-service injury and resolving all doubt in favor of the Veteran.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic rhinitis, chronic sinusitis, and a left ankle disability have been dismissed due to an improper concurrent election of review options. The Veteran also had his claim for IBS denied.,Service connection for hearing loss was denied as the Veteran does not meet the VA requirements for hearing loss in either ear.

The Veteran was granted a TDIU effective June 13, 2023. The effective date is fixed at the date of claim (June 13, 2022) as there is no earlier entitlement.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate VA opinion regarding whether the Veteran's right wrist condition was aggravated by service. A new medical opinion is needed.

The Board has dismissed the claim for entitlement to service connection for a right wrist sprain due to procedural error. The case is remanded for consideration of an initial disability rating in excess of 20 percent for the Veteran's left foot disability.

The Board has dismissed the appeals for service connection of depression, sleep issues condition, sinusitis, right wrist condition pain and numbness, right hand with trigger finger, mood changes (claimed as memory and concentration condition), bilateral hearing loss, and anxiety due to the Veteran's withdrawal of his appeal.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for elbow wrist pain left arm, right knee hyperextension, and scoliosis (3rd degree) due to a lack of adequate medical opinions and incomplete evidence. The claims are being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's request to appeal the denial of service connection for right wrist ganglion cyst is dismissed. The claim of entitlement to service connection for TMJ is remanded.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for psychiatric disability, left shoulder disability, and right wrist disability due to incomplete evidence and need for further development.

The Board denied service connection for TBI, headaches as secondary to TBI, left knee condition (limitation of extension), right knee condition (limitation of extension), left wrist condition (limited motion), right wrist condition (limited motion), and right shoulder condition. The evidence did not support a current disability related to the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings and service connection has been denied. The Board found that the severity, frequency, and duration of the Veteran's PTSD symptoms did not meet the criteria for a higher rating. Service connection for allergic rhinitis was also denied due to lack of evidence supporting its onset during or shortly after military service.

The Veteran's left ankle, wrist, thumb, and elbow conditions are granted service connection. The GERD is also granted as secondary to PTSD.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance due to service-connected disabilities, including fibromyalgia, depressive disorder with anxiety disorder and alcohol abuse disorder, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, left knee ligament tear with degenerative arthritis, lumbar strain with degenerative disc disease, degenerative joint disease of hips and great toes, and right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome.

The appellant is granted SMC(o) and SMC(r)(1) based on his service-connected disabilities, including PTSD, glaucoma, foot drop conditions, sleep apnea, migraines, overactive bladder, and various musculoskeletal issues. He does not qualify for higher rates due to the anatomical loss or use of extremities.

The Board has granted service connection for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and denied the remaining issues of service connection. The Veteran's OSA is found to be related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's right and left upper extremity cervical radiculopathy with carpal tunnel syndrome were rated at 40 percent and 30 percent, respectively. The Board denied ratings in excess of these levels.

The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity is now rated at 40 percent from April 26, 2024. Prior to that date, he was rated at 20 percent.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeals for service connection on multiple conditions due to procedural issues, including a prohibited concurrent election of administrative review options.