Wrist & hand decisions — 2005

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disorder and a bilateral wrist disorder due to lack of current disability evidence.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling a VA examination to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's claimed conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for amenorrhea and an increased evaluation for residuals of a fracture of the right wrist, finding that there was no evidence linking her current conditions to her military service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left wrist laceration with nerve and tendon damage is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examination and consideration of all applicable laws, regulations, and case law.

The veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on permanent need for aid and attendance of another person or being housebound.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis related to any of his claimed conditions, and there is no evidence showing chronic residuals from service. The claims for service connection are therefore denied.,There is insufficient medical evidence to establish a nexus between the veteran's military service and his current skin disorders.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a fungal disorder of the ears, right wrist disability, or residuals of a head injury incurred in service.,There is no evidence of any current disabilities related to these conditions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including neuropathy/carpal tunnel syndrome, a low back disorder, bilateral knee disorders, and bilateral foot disorders. The decision found that there was no evidence of current disabilities or etiological links to military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and a rating higher than 20 percent for residuals of a shell fragment wound (SFW) of the left wrist and hand. The claim for hypertension was remanded due to inadequate VCAA notice, while the claim for increased rating for SFW remained denied.

The Board has denied all service connection claims for migraine headaches, right wrist condition, eczema, cervical spine condition, and thoracic spine condition. The veteran's claims were reopened on new evidence but the preponderance of the evidence is against a current disability in each case.

The Board has remanded the case due to outstanding VA records and a need for further medical examination.

The Board has remanded the case for further development to verify the veteran's claimed stressors, including witnessing a man burn to death and falling off an airplane. The veteran is seeking service connection for PTSD.

The Board has determined that the veteran did not submit a timely substantive appeal for his claim of service connection for generalized anxiety disorder. The RO's January 1999 decision denying memory loss symptoms as a chronic disability resulting from undiagnosed illness is final. New evidence received since the January 1999 decision supports reopening this claim, but does not establish service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for reopening his service connection claims for schizophrenia, hemorrhoids, and a disability of the right wrist. The issues of service connection for knees, right foot, and head injury were also addressed but are pending in the remand portion.

The veteran's claims for service connection for a right wrist disorder, hearing loss, rectal disorder (to include hemorrhoids), and deviated nasal septum have been denied as there is no current evidence of these conditions. The Board finds that the veteran does not meet the minimum statutory requirement for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection of a right wrist and right hand disorder, finding no competent medical evidence showing current diagnosis or disability.

The veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral wrist and right ankle disorders, which he claims are related to his active duty service in the Persian Gulf region. The case has been remanded for further development including obtaining service personnel records and arranging for a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current hearing loss in either ear, and thus service connection for defective hearing is denied.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of her service-connected right wrist tendonitis is being remanded due to the need for a thorough examination and consideration of applicable criteria.

The Board has denied the veteran's request to reopen his claim for service connection for residuals of a fracture to the right wrist, finding that new and material evidence was not submitted.