Wrist & hand decisions — 2008

The veteran is granted SMC based on the need for regular aid and attendance, but denied SMC based on being housebound.

The appeal is remanded to obtain additional evidence regarding the circumstances of the veteran's right wrist injuries and a psychiatric evaluation.

The veteran's claims for service connection for right and left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome were remanded for a VA examination.

The appeal in regard to service connection for thoracic aortic aneurysm with dissection is dismissed as the AOJ granted the claim.

The Board denied an increased disability rating for left arm peripheral neuropathy, granted an increased disability rating for CAD to 10 percent, and denied an increased disability rating for nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for a right wrist disability as there was no evidence of an injury during service or chronicity of symptoms after service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render him permanently bedridden, and he is not confined to his home by the service-connected disabilities. Therefore, special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance or housebound status is denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's testicular nodule, cervical radiculopathy, peripheral neuropathy, sleep apnea, anemia, periodontitis, hemorrhoids, depression (related to PTSD), migraine headaches, and carpal tunnel syndrome are not related to his active service. However, the veteran's depression is related to his service-connected PTSD.

The veteran's service connection for migraine headaches was granted, while the claims for arthritis of the bilateral hands and fingers, wrists, and knees were remanded.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as the competent evidence did not establish that he has a disability recognized by VA.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus were granted, while the claims for an ulcer, sinus disorder, psychiatric disorder, bilateral hand disorder, and bilateral wrist disorder were denied.

The Board denied service connection for pneumonia with high fever, fatigue, crawling sensation in right lower extremity, bilateral knee chondromalacia, right wrist condition, and Achilles tendinitis as these conditions were not shown to be related to the veteran's active military service.

The Board remands the claims for further development and readjudication.

The veteran's right wrist ganglion cyst is rated at the maximum schedular rating of 10 percent, and an increase to a higher rating was not supported by the evidence.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied due to the lack of evidence supporting a current disability or sufficient in-service incurrence.

The veteran's claim for a temporary total evaluation under 38 C.F.R. § 4.30 based on a need for post-surgical convalescence was denied because the August 2002 surgery to remove a cyst from his right middle finger was not related to his service-connected right wrist disability.

The veteran's claims for service connection for right ear hearing loss, residuals of a right wrist fracture, and alcoholism were denied. However, the claim for service connection for alcoholism as secondary to post-traumatic stress disorder was granted.

The Board denied service connection for a neck disability, lower back disability, and upper back disability. The claims to reopen for right carpal tunnel syndrome and left carpal tunnel syndrome were also denied.

The veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist is service-connected.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis of the hands, shoulders, ankles, wrists, and hips as it was unrelated to her service or any incident therein, and not shown to be a result of or aggravated by the service-connected low back disability.