Wrist & hand decisions — 2008

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and initial compensable ratings for her right hand/wrist disorder, patellofemoral syndrome of both knees, and uterine fibroids.

The Board has determined that the case requires additional development due to the need for clarification of the veteran's periods of active duty and inactive duty training, as well as further examination regarding the etiology of his claimed conditions.

The Board has determined that the veteran's current ganglion cyst of the right wrist originated during her military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied service connection for chronic disabilities of both wrists, finding no current disability. The veteran's contentions regarding the medical findings were not considered clear and unmistakable error.

The Board has determined that the veteran's hypertension is service connected due to its onset within one year of his discharge from service. However, the Board denied service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome as there was no medical evidence linking it to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of left wrist, bilateral hearing loss, or tinnitus disabilities. Therefore, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The veteran's microcytic anemia was granted service connection, but a higher initial rating is denied.,Right hand carpal tunnel syndrome received initial ratings of 10% prior to May 26, 2004 and noncompensable beginning November 1, 2004. A 50% rating was assigned from May 26, 2004 to September 13, 2004, followed by a 10% rating starting February 17, 2007.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome as secondary to the veteran's service-connected lower back muscle strain with neurogenic claudication and neck muscle strain. The effective date of this grant is January 12, 2001. Service connection for depressive disorder was also granted but with an earlier effective date than January 12, 2001.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current disabilities of bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome or a skin disorder of his feet, and thus service connection is denied for these conditions.

The veteran's service-connected right wrist disability is currently rated at the maximum possible rating (50%), but his other service-connected condition, a right thumb condition, is not service connected. The Board denied his claim for TDIU as he does not meet the threshold minimum percentage standards and there are no circumstances outside of his service-connected disabilities that would justify an extra-schedular TDIU.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected cervical strain, scar, residual left ankle surgery, lumbar strain with degenerative changes at T12-L1, right ilio-tibial band syndrome, retropatellar pain syndromes of the knees, postoperative residuals of a malleolus fracture, allergic rhinitis, tinea corporis and tinea cruris, left wrist strain, left epididymitis, and scar from a thumb laceration have all been denied.,The veteran's service-connected conditions do not meet or approximate the criteria for higher evaluations under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance was granted effective September 13, 2004. The decision is based on his current disabilities and their impact on daily activities.

The Board has reopened the veteran's previously denied claims of entitlement to service connection for degenerative disc disease with DJD, lumbar spine and carpal tunnel syndrome, right wrist. The case is now remanded for further development.

The Board has remanded the claims for service connection for right and left carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as an increased rating for headaches due to insufficient evidence or need for further examination.

Your appeal is being remanded to the RO for scheduling a Travel Board hearing. The case will be returned to the Board after further action.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current bilateral hearing loss or tinnitus disabilities for VA compensation purposes, and there is insufficient evidence to establish service connection for these conditions. The Board also found no indication of a pre-existing left wrist condition prior to active duty service.

The appellant's hypesthesia, post operative, of the right lower lip is currently rated as 10 percent disabling.,Service connection for a right hand condition was denied.,Service connection for a right wrist disability was denied.,Service connection for a left wrist disability was denied.,Service connection for tinnitus was granted.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome warrants a 50 percent rating effective October 1, 1997. Prior to this date, he was assigned separate ratings of 30 percent for his right hand and 20 percent for his left hand.

The Board has determined that the claimant's service connection claims for ulnar neuropathy with residual nerve deficit and pain, left elbow; left wrist and hand disability; carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist; and right elbow tendonitis are all denied as there is no evidence of in-service incurrence or aggravation of these conditions.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for proper notice in compliance with the Veterans Claims Assistance Act and a VA examination regarding service connection.