Wrist & hand decisions — 2006

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations for right and left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as dermatitis of the hands and wrists, were denied. The evidence did not support a higher evaluation.

The veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative, and thus the case is dismissed.

The Board has granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the right knee and denied service connection for a mid-back disability. The veteran's right knee is currently rated at 20 percent.

The veteran's claims for service connection were denied. The Board found no new and material evidence to reopen the claim for a left wrist condition, and determined that headaches did not result from military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis and CTS of the right hand, as well as his increased evaluations for cold injury residuals of both hands, were denied by the RO. The effective date for the grant of TDIU was set at July 12, 1991.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of shrapnel wounds to his left wrist and lower leg, traumatic arthritis in his left wrist and shoulders, and PTSD. The Board found that there was no evidence of shrapnel injuries during service or within the presumptive period after service, and that the current disabilities were not related to military service.

The Board finds that the preponderance of the evidence is against the veteran's claim for an increased rating for residuals of a right hand fracture, and therefore denies the claim.

The Board granted service connection for various conditions and assigned a 10 percent rating. The effective date is not specified.

The Board found that new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen the claim for service connection for residuals of a left wrist fracture. The case is now remanded for further consideration by the RO.

The Board has denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected left elbow scar, right wrist scars, and right leg scar. The TDIU claim is being remanded.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have right carpal tunnel syndrome related to his military service and therefore denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the relationship between the veteran's service-connected schizoaffective disorder and his death, which was caused by methadone and cocaine toxicity. The DIC benefits claim under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 will also be remanded for additional review.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right wrist disability is not service-connected and her left wrist disability does not warrant a compensable evaluation.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating higher than 0 percent for residuals of a right wrist fracture, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected right and left wrist disabilities do not warrant a schedular rating in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including providing proper notification letters and arranging for an orthopedic examination to determine the current severity of his right wrist disability.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional examination and development of her claims for increased evaluations for right and left carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

The Board has determined that the appellant does not have a current diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy, ED or diabetic retinopathy. The VA medical examinations and private physician's notes do not establish a causal connection between his service-connected diabetes mellitus and any of these conditions. Therefore, the claims for service connection for these conditions are denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding that none of them were incurred or aggravated by his military service.

The Board denied service connection for a right ankle disability and did not address the left wrist fracture claim due to lack of evidence. The veteran's request for a remand was granted.