Wrist & hand decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities is due to his in-service exposure to Agent Orange, warranting service connection.,Regarding bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, while not present during service or for many years thereafter, the evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection.

The veteran's initial compensable rating for post-operative arthroscopic hand surgical repair, status post traumatic rupture scapholunate ligament, left wrist is granted.

The Board found that the veteran's current right and left wrist disabilities are not related to his military service, as there is no evidence of any injury or condition during service. The preponderance of medical evidence does not support a finding that the veteran's current conditions are due to his in-service injuries.

The veteran's unauthorized private medical expenses incurred at S.J. Hospital from February 8, 2004 to February 9, 2004 are denied as the services were not rendered in a medical emergency of such nature that delay would have been hazardous to life or health.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is not related to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that an effective date prior to November 30, 2001 for the grant of service connection for right and left carpal tunnel syndrome is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current heart condition and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome are not related to his military service. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a left wrist disorder, as there is no evidence of a current disability that is related to military service or a service-connected condition.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not service-connected, and thus denied all of his claims.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, finding no current disabilities related to his in-service injuries or eye procedures. The evidence does not support a grant of service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's applications to reopen his claims for service connection due to lack of new and material evidence.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 10 percent for chronic bronchitis is denied, and his TDIU claim is also denied as he does not meet the criteria for unemployability due to service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and fibromyalgia. The Board found that there is no evidence of a current disability or a link to military service.,For the remaining issues, including bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and left leg CRPS, additional medical examination and opinion are needed to determine if these conditions are related to military service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right hand/wrist disorder, headache disorder, and loss of a tooth. The Board found no evidence to support these claims based on direct service connection or any other presumption.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with notification of a VA examination and unclear etiology regarding the veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome. The veteran is requested to provide additional evidence or identify any additional evidence in support of his claim.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bronchitis, right ankle disability, shingles, right foot disability, and right wrist disability due to lack of current evidence of these conditions.

The veteran's claim for service connection for right wrist disability is being remanded due to the need for an appropriate VA examination and proper VCAA notice.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for an increased evaluation for his median nerve injury, left wrist and service connection for degenerative arthritis of the left hand secondary to a service-connected left wrist injury.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings for her eczema and right wrist dorsal ganglion cyst, finding that the evidence did not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent under either the old or new criteria.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining updated medical records and scheduling the veteran for VA examinations to assess the current severity of his service-connected disabilities.