Wrist & hand decisions — 2006

The Board has remanded the case to the AMC for compliance with VCAA requirements, and will be reviewed again after additional development.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development of the medical record.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an effective date prior to March 21, 1996 for the grant of service connection for dysthymic disorder and for evaluations in excess of 30 percent for dysthymic disorder, as well as for degenerative changes of the left and right wrists due to rheumatoid arthritis.

The Board found that the appellant's left wrist disability did not pre-exist service and was not aggravated by military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not related to his military service and have denied all of his claims.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of multiple joints and a right shoulder disability, but further development is needed to determine if these conditions are related to service.

The Board found that the appellant's carpal tunnel syndrome and disability manifested by swollen fingers, ankles, and hands were not incurred or aggravated during active service. The Board concluded that these conditions preexisted service and were not aggravated therein.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected knee and wrist disabilities, finding that the evidence did not support higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has remanded the case for readjudication of the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral knee, hip, ankle, hand, and wrist disorders on the basis of all evidence of record and governing legal authority. The AMC must consider both pre- and post-October 10, 2006 regulatory changes to 38 C.F.R. � 3.310.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations and effective dates have been granted, with the highest possible schedular ratings assigned.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of service connection for a right wrist condition due to lack of a currently diagnosed disability.

The veteran's right carpal tunnel syndrome with history of ulnar neuritis is currently rated at 30 percent, effective January 3, 2005. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent prior to that date was granted.

The veteran's right wrist condition is rated at 30 percent, and he is granted a uniform rating. The TDIU claim is denied as the evidence does not show unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board found no current disability of the veteran's wrists and concluded that her wrist pain is not related to service, thus denying her claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for an increased rating for his right wrist disability and service connection for a left knee disability, finding that there is no evidence of chronic disabilities in service or within one year post-service. The current symptoms are not shown to be related to service.

The veteran's initial claim for a compensable evaluation for his service-connected right wrist ganglion cyst was denied. The case is being remanded to the RO for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling an examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's flat feet and carpal tunnel syndrome were not incurred during active service, and thus denied these claims. The claim for malaria was reopened due to new evidence provided by the veteran.

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

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected right wrist disability does not warrant a rating higher than the current 10 percent evaluation, as there is no evidence of ankylosis or other conditions that would justify such a higher rating.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including hypertension, left knee osteoarthritis, foot/toe disorders, sinus disorders, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, dyslipidemia, hypokalemia, insomnia, and hyperuricemia. The appeals are all denied as there is no evidence of a direct relationship between these conditions and the veteran's service.