Wrist & hand decisions — 2007

The Board has determined that the veteran does not currently have bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board found that a chronic disorder of the feet, conjunctivitis, diabetes, and right wrist ganglion were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence linking the left wrist disability or tinnitus to his service, and there was insufficient medical evidence to support a secondary service connection claim for the right wrist disability.

The veteran is seeking service connection for residuals of a right wrist injury, including arthritis. The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the veteran currently has any residuals of his inservice right wrist injury.

The veteran's claim for service connection for subcutaneous scar tissue or inclusion cyst on the ventral aspect of the penis, claimed as residuals of a circumcision is granted. The veteran also has an extraschedular evaluation in excess of 30 percent for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The Board has remanded the case for compliance with VCAA requirements and further appellate consideration.

The Board finds that the veteran's loss of use of his hands is due to service-connected disabilities, and thus he is entitled to special monthly compensation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee, right knee, and right wrist disabilities. The evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or instability.

The veteran's service-connected shell fragment wound to muscle group VIII with comminuted fracture of the right ulna, retained foreign bodies, weakness, and limitation of motion at the wrist is rated as 30 percent disabling. The VA has granted a higher evaluation for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his left wrist disability, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of the current 10 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for general and special apportionments of his service-connected disability compensation payments, finding that he is not reasonably discharging his responsibility for support of his spouse or children, and that a special apportionment would cause undue hardship.

The Board found that the veteran's left wrist disability pre-existed service and was not aggravated by military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The case is being remanded for further evaluation of the veteran's right wrist disability, including whether it is degenerative in nature and related to other joint issues. The veteran will be scheduled for a hearing at the RO.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for GERD with Barrett's esophagus, hemorrhoids, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and tinea versicolor as these conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection and compensation for PTSD, residuals of a right wrist fracture, and residuals of a right elbow fracture were pending at the time of his death. The claim for adenocarcinoma of the lungs was received after the effective date had already been established. Therefore, no earlier effective dates are granted.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of right inguinal hernia, ganglion cyst of the left wrist, and a left knee disability. The initial compensable ratings for ganglion cyst of the right wrist and migraine headaches have also been denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete information and need for further examination. The veteran's claims are related to exposure to Agent Orange during service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed low back, right wrist, and bilateral ankle disabilities are not related to his military service. The claims for service connection have been denied.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his shell fragment wounds of the right arm and left wrist were denied. The VA found that the current evaluations adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the veteran's residuals of a hemorrhoidectomy, effective from November 1, 2002. The right wrist injury remains at 10 percent.