Wrist & hand decisions — 2007

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a left knee condition, right knee condition, stomach disorder, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and a left wrist scar. The RO previously denied these claims in September 2002 without reopening them.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and degenerative bone disease, finding that there is no evidence linking these conditions to his active service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for right and left carpal tunnel syndrome have been granted, but the appeal is dismissed as no justiciable case or controversy remains.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected residuals of a chip fracture of the left fifth finger presented such an exceptional or unusual disability picture with marked interference with employment as to render impractical the application of the regular schedular standards, and thus grants an extraschedular rating of 10 percent.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining service personnel records and medical opinions regarding his hepatitis C claim. His right hand/wrist disability claims are also being remanded.

The veteran's cervical spine disorder is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board has granted this evaluation. The service connection for left carpal tunnel syndrome was also established.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for a VA examination and additional development of the claims, including addressing whether there is clear and unmistakable evidence that the veteran's claimed disabilities existed prior to his military service.

The VA denied a rating in excess of 10 percent for the veteran's post-operative scars on his right forearm and wrist, assigning an initial 10 percent rating effective April 10, 2003.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to inadequate examination reports and unclear language in previous examinations.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining Social Security Administration records and readjudicating the issues on appeal.

The Board found that the veteran's back disorder, right ankle disorder, left wrist disorder, and bilateral shoulder disorder are not proximately due to or aggravated by his service-connected bilateral knee disabilities.

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

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims due to inadequate notice and because of the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records from VA and Social Security Administration.

The VA denied an increased disability rating for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist, finding that the veteran's condition is manifested by mild incomplete paralysis during the entire pendency of this appeal.

The Board finds that the veteran's current hand and wrist disabilities are not related to his service, specifically the August 1963 injury. The VA examiners did not find any evidence linking these conditions to military service.

The veteran's appeal involves three service-connected disabilities: left tibia/fibula/ankle, left knee DJD, and left wrist/forearm. The RO is directed to remand these matters for further development including obtaining additional medical records, arranging for a VA examination, and considering the claims in light of all pertinent evidence.

The veteran's claim for an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for a navicular fracture of the right wrist was denied. The maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5215, which pertains to limitation of motion of the major wrist, is 10 percent.

The Board found no evidence that the veteran's currently diagnosed left and right hand carpal tunnel syndromes, as well as his right hip disorder and temporomandibular joint disorder, are related to military service.,Service connection for these conditions was denied.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims of service connection for malaria, hepatitis, sterility, bilateral hearing loss, right leg disorder, left leg disorder, right wrist disorder, and left wrist disorder. The evidence does not support a finding that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has decided to remand the case for further examination and additional records, including Social Security Administration (SSA) disability benefits records.