Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's right little finger fracture and scaphoid fracture, as well as his carpal and cubital tunnel syndrome, were denied compensable ratings.,For the period prior to March 30, 2023, the Veteran's wrist disability was also denied a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board denied service connection for right wrist osteoarthritis, finding that the Veteran's arthritis is not related to his service-connected ganglion cyst and is more likely due to natural aging.,Service connection was also denied for a right arm disorder and left arm disorder, as there was no evidence of chronic symptoms in service or within one year after separation.

The Board has remanded several claims for additional development, including obtaining VA and non-VA treatment records related to the Veteran's right shoulder, right foot, right wrist, right knee, back, and hearing loss disorders.

The Veteran's service connection claims for dental treatment, chronic dental condition, residuals from traumatic brain injury (TBI), and upper extremity neuropathies were denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for dental treatment due to in-service trauma.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for his claimed left arm condition and left hand disability, finding that there was no evidence linking these conditions to his active duty service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection due to insufficient evidence and procedural errors. The claims will be reconsidered with new examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that there was no evidence of a disease or injury in service and insufficient credible evidence to establish a relationship between current symptoms and service.

The Board has granted service connection for a right-hand disability, other than carpal tunnel syndrome, as secondary to the Veteran's service-connected carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome, right upper extremity (major) and left upper extremity (minor), tension headaches, and internal hemorrhoids have been granted increased evaluations from September 14, 2017. The Veteran is also remanded for a separate rating for his ulnar neuropathy.

The Veteran's GERD is rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that it does not meet the criteria for a higher rating due to lack of considerable impairment of health.,The Veteran's CTS of the right median nerve and left median nerve are both rated at 10 percent, with no evidence of moderate or severe incomplete paralysis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for heart conditions, right ankle condition, left wrist condition, and right wrist condition due to insufficient evidence. The claims are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's right and left thumb disabilities, as well as their corresponding wrist disabilities, are not service-connected.,For the right knee disability, a rating of 10 percent is granted. For the left knee strain, a rating of 10 percent is also granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to a duty to assist error. The Veteran's physical and/or mental impairment needs to be evaluated in relation to his service-connected ischemic heart disease.

The Board has granted service connection for right hip osteoarthritis, left knee posttraumatic osteoarthritis, right knee posttraumatic osteoarthritis, and right wrist degenerative arthritis. The decision is based on the Veteran's in-service MOS as a survival instructor and associated injuries from parachute jumps.

The Veteran's claim for increased ratings for his right wrist disability and right wrist scars was denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or scars, as the current ratings were already at their maximum.

The Board denied service connection for left wrist and left knee disabilities, finding no current diagnoses or evidence of in-service injury that would support a grant of service connection.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a compensable disability rating for his left ring finger and bilateral hand and wrist scars due to issues with scheduling examinations.

The Board denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss, left and right elbow disabilities, left and right wrist disabilities, and chronic fatigue syndrome. However, the Veteran was granted service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability (unspecified anxiety and insomnia disorder).

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a cervical spine condition and right wrist condition due to insufficient examination opinions. The Veteran will need to undergo new VA examinations to determine if his conditions are related to service.

The Board has decided to remand the claims of service connection for left and right carpal tunnel syndrome due to insufficient evidence regarding their etiology. The Veteran's MOS as a combat engineer is considered, but further examination is needed.