Wrist & hand decisions — 2004

The Board has determined that there is a need for further VA assistance in obtaining additional service medical records and conducting examinations to determine the current existence and etiology of claimed conditions, as well as the severity of the veteran's low back disorder. The claims will be remanded for these actions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left carpal tunnel syndrome as secondary to his service-connected left shoulder disability and a rating in excess of 20 percent for his left shoulder disability, finding no evidence linking the disabilities.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a video-conference hearing before the RO. The issues of service connection and reopening claims are still pending.

The Board has denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's right wrist disability and has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen her claims of service connection for cervical spine narrowing, osteophytic impingement, and right shoulder disability. The veteran's right wrist disability is currently rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5215 due to mild limitation of motion with pain. The Board found that the veteran's cervical spine narrowing and osteophytic impingement and right shoulder disability may be associated with her period of active service, but did not reach a decision on whether they were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination. The TDIU claim will be adjudicated along with any related rating claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hand disorder, entitlement to an increased disability rating for chronic prostatitis, and entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome was not associated with his service, and his genitourinary symptoms were related to his nonservice-connected prostate cancer.

The veteran's service-connected residuals of a left wrist fracture are manifested by weakness and some limitation of motion, warranting a compensable evaluation. The other issues have been granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, which was previously denied in December 1994. The claim is now reopened.

The Board found that the veteran's current tendonitis of the right thumb and wrist is not related to service, as there were no complaints or findings in service records. The claim was denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development, including scheduling VA examinations and readjudication of his claims.

The veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were denied. The case is remanded to the RO for further action.

The Board has determined that the veteran's joint pain and chest pains may be attributed to his service in the Persian Gulf War, as they are considered undiagnosed illnesses.

The veteran's chronic post-operative right wrist injury residuals, including scaphoid rotatory subluxation and joint fusion, are granted as the result of his pursuit of a VA vocational rehabilitation program prior to being declared rehabilitated.

The veteran's claim for a permanent and total disability evaluation for pension purposes was denied as he does not have one nonservice-connected disability rated at 60 percent or more, nor do his disabilities bring the combined rating to 70 percent or more. The Board found that the veteran is not permanently and totally disabled due to nonservice-connected disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran sustained a laceration of his left wrist during service and currently has residuals of this injury. The Board finds that these residuals are related to the in-service injury, thus granting service connection for residuals of a left wrist laceration.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA examination.

The veteran is entitled to an effective date of March 5, 1996 for the grant of compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for his disabilities resulting from a VA surgery in 1996.

The Board has decided the claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and a higher initial rating for hemorrhoids. The veteran does not have current hearing loss, and her hemorrhoids are currently rated as 0 percent disabling based on their mild to moderate nature. The remaining issues must be remanded due to procedural errors.

The Board found no current disabilities related to the claimed conditions and denied service connection for all issues.

The Board denied the veteran's application to reopen his claim for service connection for arthritis of the left shoulder, finding that no new and material evidence had been received. The decision is final as it was a final denial with respect to this issue.