Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for the service-connected disabilities granted in his December 2015 rating decision. The Board finds that a remand is necessary to verify the dates of active-duty service prior to September 23, 2014.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for hepatitis C was denied as the evidence did not support a finding that his condition began during active service or is related to an in-service injury.,The Veteran's claim for a higher disability rating for degenerative joint disease of the left wrist with osteopenia was also denied, as the evidence did not show ankylosis or other functional equivalent of ankylosis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims due to additional development being required, including obtaining medical opinions regarding his service connection claims and exposure to environmental hazards.

The Board denied service connection for a lower back disability, left wrist disability, neck disability, and left shoulder disability. Service connection was granted for tinnitus.,Service connection for the Veteran's claimed conditions is not supported by evidence of record.

The appeal concerning entitlement to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder is dismissed as moot.,Service connection granted for tinnitus, with the Veteran having a current diagnosis and in-service incurrence.

The Veteran's current left knee disability is related to his active service. The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a left knee injury.

The Board has denied service connection for cervical spine condition, right knee condition, left wrist condition, right shoulder condition, and left shoulder condition. The Veteran's other conditions have been rated based on their current severity.

The Board has decided to remand the case due to an inadequate medical opinion regarding the etiology of the Veteran's right wrist residuals, including carpal tunnel syndrome and osteoarthritis.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for service connection for various foot, ankle, wrist, elbow, and knee disabilities as well as a neck disability due to additional evidence being added to the record.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for prostate cancer due to herbicide exposure is granted.,The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for PTSD, bilateral upper extremity neurological disorders (likely carpal tunnel syndrome), and a disorder manifested by dizziness are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, right upper extremity peripheral neuropathy, left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome were not incurred or aggravated during service.,There is conflicting medical evidence regarding the etiology of the Veteran's current disabilities. The Board finds that the July 2022 VA examiner’s opinion is more probative on this question.

Service connection for hypertension is granted under the PACT Act due to presumed exposure to herbicide agents.,Service connection for erectile dysfunction is granted as secondary to service-connected hypertension.,Service connection for sleep apnea is denied because it is not causally related to service-connected schizophrenia.,Service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome and left carpal tunnel syndrome are denied due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to service.

The Board denied service connection for a bilateral hand joint disability, bilateral knee disability, and bilateral sensorineural hearing loss due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to service.

The Board denied service connection for Parkinson's disease and right CTS, finding that the evidence did not support a direct link to service or any presumptive exposure. The appeal was remanded for further development regarding right CTS.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for residuals of a right wrist injury, residuals of a right ankle sprain prior to March 26, 2019, and osteoarthritis of the right knee status post arthroscopic surgery have been denied.,The Veteran's claim for restoration of a 50% rating for osteoarthritis of the right knee status post arthroscopic surgery effective from October 28, 2011 has been granted.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities did not render her unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment prior to April 19, 2010.

The Board has denied the Veteran's appeals for service connection of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, arthritis of the left shoulder, arthritis of the back, right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, kidney condition, bladder condition, testicle condition, right lower extremity peripheral neuropathy, and left lower extremity peripheral neuropathy. The evidence received since the June 2014 rating decision is not new and material.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for left and right upper extremity carpal tunnel syndrome due to insufficient evidence. The claim for acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD) remains pending.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient examination responses regarding the extent of range of motion attributable to carpal tunnel syndrome and whether electromyography/nerve conduction testing is needed.