Wrist & hand decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran's character of discharge from his second period of service is a bar to receiving VA benefits for this period, and thus denied all claims on appeal.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine the likely etiology of his claimed migraine headaches and arthritis. The RO must also consider all additional evidence added to the record in November 2006.

The veteran's left wrist disability is rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of his claim. The Board found that the evidence supported a finding of unfavorable ankylosis to 10 degrees dorsiflexion without any other limitation.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and consideration of the September 2002 and September 2003 amendments to the rating criteria for his cervical spine disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and arthritis of the right wrist as secondary to his service-connected conditions, and also denied an increased rating for his right wrist scar.,The VA examinations did not find any evidence supporting a link between the veteran's current conditions and his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's recurrent boils in the rear of the neck are found to be due to treatment for the same condition during service while serving in Vietnam. The arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, diabetic retinopathy, heart murmur, and hypertension are not considered service-connected.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The right elbow disability is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5206.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension on account of being housebound or needing the aid and attendance of another person was denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The veteran's claims for service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome and a psychiatric disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development of the record.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected left wrist fusion did not result in unfavorable ankylosis, and thus denied her claim for a higher rating.

The veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than May 29, 2002 and initial increased evaluations for his service-connected right wrist and knee disabilities were denied. The RO found no legal entitlement to an earlier effective date.

The veteran's hearing loss disability is rated at 30 percent, and the right wrist disability warrants a 30 percent rating. The Board has determined that these ratings are appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for verification of stressors related to PTSD and additional development of private treatment records.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for myopia and presbyopia with astigmatism, urinary tract infection, low back pain, bilateral shoulder condition, anemia, and eczema. The veteran was granted a 10% rating for left carpal tunnel syndrome and a 10% rating for eczema of the left lower leg.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed chronic right wrist, left wrist, and left shoulder disorders are not related to his military service. The evidence does not support a finding of in-service injury or disease.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current disabilities of the fingers, hands, and wrists are not related to his service. The claims for residuals of right finger and hand injuries; residuals of left finger and hand injuries; and bilateral wrist disabilities have been denied.

The Board denied increased ratings for allergic rhinitis and carpal tunnel syndrome of the right and left hands, finding that the veteran's disability did not meet criteria for a compensable or higher rating.

The VA has denied the veteran's claims for higher initial disability ratings for his right wrist and left wrist disabilities, finding that the evidence does not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for osteoarthritis of various joints and entitlement to TDIU due to incomplete evidence, including a lack of x-rays from his May 2004 VA examination.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for ratings in excess of 10 percent for tendonitis of both his left and right wrists, finding that there is no evidence of ankylosis or other conditions warranting a higher rating.