Wrist & hand decisions — 2007

The veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a shrapnel wound to the right eye is granted. The claims for increased ratings for cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine injuries are dismissed due to withdrawal by the appellant. The left hip disability and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have carpal tunnel syndrome of the right and left wrists or a joint disorder of the bilateral great toes that are related to service.,There is no evidence showing any complaints, treatment, or diagnosis of these conditions during active service.

The veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations and service connection were denied. The lumbar spine condition remains at 20 percent, sinusitis at 10 percent, wrist fracture with arthritis at 10 percent, and recurrent central serous retinopathy of the right eye was granted.

The veteran's bilateral knee disorder, diagnosed as iliotibial band syndrome, is related to his active service. The claims for right and left wrist disorders and migraine/cluster headaches are not addressed due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board found that the veteran's left wrist disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service and arthritis may not be presumed to have been so incurred. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board finds that service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss. Service connection is not granted for defective vision, left eye disability, hyperlipidemia, tonsillitis, upper respiratory disability, headaches, bilateral foot disability, pharyngitis, left thumb and wrist disabilities, bronchitis, right elbow disability, or residuals of a laceration of the left forehead.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for a cervical spine disability and ulnar nerve impairment, as well as his service connection claims for right shoulder impingement, migraines, and synovitis of the right wrist. The evidence did not establish current disabilities for these conditions.

The veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the higher rating for residuals of burn to right hand and wrist with traumatic arthritis, right fifth finger, distal interphalangeal joint.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and a disability of the lumbar spine as there was no competent evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's active service.

The veteran's appeals for higher initial evaluations for right wrist trauma, right hand trauma (including right little finger laceration), and left ear hearing loss have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his appeal by the veteran.

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound is remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including left ankle fracture, left knee bursitis, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hemorrhoids, and degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder. The veteran's claims are not supported by evidence showing a direct link to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome and degenerative joint disease of the knees, finding that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated in service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities meet the percentage criteria for a TDIU because he has two or more service-connected disabilities with one disability rated at 40 percent or higher and a combined rating of 70 percent or higher. The Board also determined that the veteran is unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation due to his service-connected PTSD and right wrist disabilities.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a chronic disability manifested by hypersensitivity, joint pain, bilateral knee degenerative joint disease, left knee instability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, or swelling of the hands, fingers, legs, and feet, including as due to an undiagnosed illness. The claims are therefore denied.

The veteran's claimed conditions, including bilateral foot pain, right and left carpal tunnel syndrome, stomach ulcers, gastrointestinal reflux disease, erectile dysfunction, chronic sinusitis, lipomatous lesion of the left shoulder, benign prostatic hypertrophy, tinnitus, depressive disorder, and hypertension, have been evaluated. The veteran does not meet the criteria for a combined 100 percent schedular rating under the VA Schedule for Rating Disabilities. Therefore, his claim for permanent and total disability rating for VA non-service-connected pension purposes has been denied.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the veteran's left wrist disability and denied any increase in rating for alopecia.

The Board found that the veteran's residuals of a right hand crush injury do not manifest arthritis, and therefore denied entitlement to a separate rating for arthritis of the right hand and wrist.

The veteran has withdrawn all her appeals, including those for various disabilities and service connection claims.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's left wrist disability as secondary to his service-connected right knee disability, resolving reasonable doubt in favor of the veteran.