Wrist & hand decisions — 2006

The veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to determine if his left wrist disability was worsened by the October 1999 surgery at the Shreveport VAMC and whether there was fault on VA's part.

The Board found that the veteran's left wrist condition, which includes post-operative carpal tunnel syndrome and deQuervain's tenosynovitis, is no more than mild in severity. The claim for an increased rating was denied.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for a service-connected burial allowance, finding that the veteran's death was not related to service or a service-connected disability.

The veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations were denied as his disabilities did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation under the applicable rating schedule.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right wrist and left lower leg disabilities do not warrant increased ratings as they are currently evaluated.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a left wrist injury and whether new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen his claim for stomach condition.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities were evaluated, and the RO denied increased ratings for cervical spondylosis, right carpal tunnel syndrome (major), left carpal tunnel syndrome, right knee disability, right bunion formation and slight deformity of the first metatarsophalangeal joint, left bunion formation and slight deformity of the first metatarsophalangeal joint, cholelithiasis and cholecystectomy with benign pancreatic cyst, surgical scars from the cholelithiasis and cholecystectomy with benign pancreatic cyst, and pilonidal cyst. The RO found that these conditions were not service-connected.

The Board has determined that an examination is necessary to determine the current nature and severity of the veteran's service-connected carpal tunnel and anemia disorders. The case is REMANDED for these examinations.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his right wrist disability is being remanded due to inadequate VCAA notice and the need for a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected conditions do not warrant a higher disability rating, and thus the appeal is denied.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current left wrist arthritis or right hallux abductovalgus to his military service. The claims for service connection were denied.

The Board has granted an effective date of November 8, 1954 for the grant of service connection for a left wrist disability. The veteran's claim for a higher initial rating for his left wrist disability is denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including degenerative joint disease of the lumbar spine and tumors of the wrists and elbows. The evidence did not raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating these claims.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings for shrapnel injuries to his right shoulder and wrist were denied as the evidence did not support a finding of more than moderate disability.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining VA medical records and scheduling a VA examination.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for a travel board hearing at the RO.

The case is being remanded to the RO for consideration of new evidence received by the veteran and forwarded from the Board. The issues on appeal will be reconsidered, including the right hand or wrist disability claim which may now include a reopening issue due to the submission of new evidence.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral elbow, wrist, lumbar spine, and left hip disorders due to a lack of competent medical evidence linking these conditions to her military service.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new examination to assess the current severity of his left wrist ganglion cyst removal scar and right wrist ganglion cyst.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for bilateral knee, ankle, shoulder, and wrist disabilities to obtain additional medical records and to schedule an examination. The veteran's claim will be processed as if his hearing loss request was withdrawn.