Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral flat feet and plantar fasciitis, right or left ear disorder, right ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, left ankle lateral collateral ligament sprain, right carpal tunnel syndrome (dominant), left carpal tunnel syndrome (nondominant), right shoulder acromioclavicular joint strain (dominant), right knee patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFS), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) due to the Veteran's failure to appear for VA examinations scheduled in April 2023.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection and rating determinations due to insufficient evidence regarding the nature and etiology of his upper extremity nerve conditions, as well as their current severity. The Veteran is seeking service connection for right elbow nerve damage and right upper extremity cubital tunnel syndrome, which he attributes to in-service injuries or overuse of his right hand and finger conditions.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a new VA examination regarding the Veteran's scars associated with her service-connected ganglion cyst on the left wrist. The claim is still pending and will be reconsidered after the additional development.

The Board denied service connection for various conditions, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, sleep apnea, carpal tunnel syndromes, sebaceous cyst, left hand joint pain, gallstones, and knee, shoulder, elbow, and wrist disorders. The evidence did not support a finding that these conditions were related to the Veteran's military service or exposure to burn pits.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral ankle disability, initial ratings greater than 10 percent for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left and right upper extremities, as well as initial ratings greater than 10 percent for left and right knee joint osteoarthritis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to insufficient examination findings and treatment records. The appeals are now pending again.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including cough-variant asthma, thoracolumbar scoliosis, left shoulder tendinitis with clavicle fracture, tinnitus, right and left carpal tunnel syndromes, residuals of otitis media, and left lower extremity radiculopathy, are rated at 70 percent combined from December 2, 2010. The Board has granted a TDIU rating based on these disabilities, but the issues of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disability, neurocognitive disorder, and erectile dysfunction remain unresolved.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for ulcerative colitis was denied, and his ratings for cervical spine disability were also denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection or an increase in rating.

The Board's decision has been vacated, and the Veteran's claims for increased ratings have been granted.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome due to insufficient evidence and need for further development.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for a higher rating for a healed right thumb fracture, service connection for a right hand and fingers condition, and service connection for a right wrist condition due to inadequate examinations.

The Board has remanded the case due to a need for an addendum opinion regarding the Veteran's service-connected right wrist ganglion cyst with residual scar, specifically addressing her reports of numbness, instability, muscle stiffness and weakness.

The Board has remanded the case due to inadequate rationale in the previous VA examination opinions regarding whether the Veteran's left upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome is aggravated by his service-connected left hand scar.

The Board denied service connection for various joint disabilities, including cervical spine arthritis, right hand and finger arthritis, left hand and finger arthritis, right hip arthritis, left hip arthritis, right shoulder arthritis, left shoulder arthritis, right wrist arthritis, left wrist arthritis, and right knee degenerative arthritis.,The evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions were incurred or aggravated by service.

The Veteran was previously employed but resigned due to service-connected disabilities, including back pain and ureteral stricture.,From January 1, 2017, onward, the combination of his service-connected disabilities rendered him unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for bilateral carpal and cubital tunnel syndrome, as well as his right knee disability due to insufficient evidence in their favor.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further examination and rating determinations due to the progression of his service-connected disabilities, specifically PTSD with insomnia disorder, right wrist strain, and bilateral hearing loss.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her right and left wrist tendonitis with volar ganglion cyst, finding that there is no evidence of ankylosis or functional ankylosis to warrant a higher rating.

The Board has remanded the cases of numbness in the left arm and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome due to inadequate compliance with previous remand directives. The Veteran's claims are being returned for further development, including obtaining addendum opinions from a neurologist regarding the nature and etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including PTSD, CFS, lumbar and dorsal spine disorders, right wrist disorder, and right knee disorder. The claims are being remanded to allow for further investigation and medical opinions.