Wrist & hand decisions — 2006

The veteran's claims for increased evaluation of hemorrhoids, service connection for PTSD, low back disorder, left wrist disorder, defective hearing, athlete's foot, urinary problems, and need for Aid and Attendance were all denied. The claim to reopen service connection for a dental condition was also denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations for his neck disability, right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, residuals of hepatitis, and right rib fractures. The evidence did not support a finding that any of these conditions were related to military service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and effective dates were denied. The Board found that the criteria for an increased rating had not been met, and that earlier effective dates could not be assigned due to lack of factual evidence.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, finding no current diagnosed hip condition. The left knee claim remains in appellate status due to a lack of a Statement of the Case.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed left knee and left wrist disorders are not related to her military service, and therefore denied both claims.

The Board has determined that the January 1999 rating decision denying service connection for an eye disorder, including astigmatism, is final. The additional evidence submitted since then does not meet the criteria to reopen this claim as new and material evidence.

The Board denied a higher initial rating for the veteran's service-connected right wrist disability, finding that it did not meet the criteria for ankylosis and thus was not entitled to a higher evaluation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for post-operative residuals of left and right carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating based on the severity of her symptoms.

The veteran's appeal has been dismissed as the appellant withdrew their appeal prior to a decision being made.

The veteran's claims for higher evaluations of her service-connected lumbar strain and bilateral wrist tendonitis since September 26, 2003, and September 12, 2001, respectively, were denied as there is no evidence that the conditions have resulted in functional loss or impairment warranting a higher evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's joint pain involving the bilateral wrists, hips, and left ankle is presumed to have been incurred in service due to an undiagnosed illness resulting from his service in Southwest Asia during the Gulf War.

The Board has dismissed the issues of CUE in the November 26, 1996, rating decisions that assigned separate 10 percent evaluations for residuals of a fracture of the right elbow and wrist.

The veteran's claim for an initial compensable rating for his left wrist fracture residuals was denied by the RO, resulting in a noncompensable (0%) rating.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed before the claims can be fully adjudicated, including obtaining service medical records and providing a VA examination to determine if the veteran's hearing loss and wrist condition are related to his military service.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as there was no objective neurological findings to support a higher rating for bilateral cubital tunnel release, and the VA examination scheduled in 2005 was not conducted due to the veteran's failure to report. The other skin conditions did not meet the criteria for compensable ratings under the current rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the veteran's decreased grip strength of the right hand warrants a 30 percent rating, effective from May 2001.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral wrist and shoulder disabilities, finding that there was no evidence of a direct relationship between his military service and these conditions.

The veteran's claim for an extension of a temporary total disability evaluation was granted by the Board, as he required convalescence following surgery on his service-connected left wrist arthritis and cervical spine degenerative disc disease.

The Board found that the veteran's cervical disc disease and tendonitis of the right wrist were both aggravated by service, resulting in a grant of service connection for these conditions.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including providing VCAA notice and scheduling VA examinations to determine the nature and etiology of his service-connected disabilities.