Wrist & hand decisions — 2006

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the shoulders, hip joints, elbows, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome were not substantiated by the evidence of record.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for trigger thumb and carpal tunnel syndrome of the left hand, finding no evidence linking these conditions to his military service. The initial rating for epididymitis with excision of the left testicle and nonfunctioning right testicle was increased from zero percent to 30 percent effective January 22, 2003.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected right wrist and right knee disabilities do not warrant an increased evaluation based on the evidence of record.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his left wrist disability, finding that there was no evidence to support an increased rating based on service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraine headaches and carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating based on the severity of his symptoms.

The Board granted an initial evaluation of 30 percent for service-connected hypothyroidism and denied a higher evaluation for the right wrist disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's skin cancer was not incurred in or aggravated by service and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service. The claims for residuals of a concussion, right ankle fracture, right wrist fracture, and occipital parietal diastasis fracture with left facial paralysis are denied as well.

The Board has granted a 60 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected low back disability, effective from the date of this decision. The left wrist disability remains rated at 20 percent.

The Board found that the veteran's right wrist and hand disorders were not incurred in or aggravated by service, nor are they proximately due to a service-connected disability. The appeal is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left wrist disability was not incurred or aggravated by military service and is not proximately due to a service-connected right wrist disability.

The Board has decided in favor of the veteran, granting service connection for a disability of the left hand and wrist. The decision is based on evidence that links the current condition to active duty and specifically, an aircraft accident that occurred on August 1, 1945.

The VA denied service connection for arthritis of the right wrist, finding no evidence of a current disability related to service or service-connected conditions.

The Board found no evidence linking the veteran's current shoulder, wrist, and lumbar spine conditions to his military service. The absence of medical records from service is not considered a fault of the veteran.

The Board has remanded the case for further development and readjudication due to issues related to service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, including PTSD, and residuals of a right wrist injury.

The veteran is seeking service connection for various conditions, including shrapnel wounds to the left hip, PTSD, carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist, and head and back injuries. The case has been remanded due to a need for additional hearing before a Board member.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings have been denied. The Board finds no new evidence that would support reopening the claim of service connection for hypertension.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for an initial compensable evaluation for his left wrist scar and a higher rating for his lumbar spine disability. The evidence did not show functional loss due to the left wrist scar, and no new and material evidence was provided for reopening any service connection claims.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left arm and wrist disorders, as well as her claim for major depressive disorder secondary to a service-connected disability. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or a current disability related to these conditions.

The Board granted service connection for the veteran's left forearm fracture and arthritis of the left wrist, assigning a 20 percent disability rating effective February 13, 2003.

The Board found no evidence of a wrist disability and denied the veteran's claim for service connection. The remaining issues on appeal are pending, but will be deferred until completion of the requested medical examination.