Wrist & hand decisions — 2008

The Board has determined that a VA orthopedic examination is necessary to determine the nature and etiology of the veteran's claimed right ankle and left wrist disabilities. The claims for service connection are currently on remand.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of bilateral hearing loss, recurrent tinnitus, or left arm disorder (carpal tunnel syndrome) for VA purposes. The claims for service connection for these conditions are therefore denied.

The Board denied service connection for right wrist and thumb injuries as they are not shown to be causally related to active service or a service-connected disability. The claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for an incisional hernia was also denied due to the absence of current evidence of such a condition.

The Board has remanded the case due to the need for additional VA treatment records and clarification of the August 2005 VA examiner's opinion regarding whether the veteran has current diagnosed right wrist and left shoulder disabilities, and if so, whether they are related to service.

The Board denied service connection for a psychiatric disorder, left wrist disorder, and right wrist disorder. The heart disorder claim is pending as the evidence does not establish its onset during service.

The veteran's service-connected right wrist disabilities are rated at the maximum allowed under VA regulations, and no higher ratings are warranted based on current evidence.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have a current diagnosis of right hand knuckle or right wrist disability attributable to service. The evidence is insufficient to establish service connection for these disabilities.

The Board found that the veteran's current eye disorder is not service-connected and denied his claims for increased ratings for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The evidence did not support a finding of an in-service injury or disease, and the current disability was considered to be due to refractive errors rather than a service-connected condition.

The Board has granted service connection for a psychiatric disorder, variously diagnosed as anxiety and depression. The veteran's claims for other disabilities are related to the pituitary macroadenoma he was diagnosed with after service.

The VA determined that there is no current diagnosis of a left wrist disorder and insufficient evidence to link any potential injury during service to the veteran's current condition.

The Board has found no competent medical evidence to support the veteran's claim of osteoarthritis of the hips, wrists, and right knee. The claims are therefore denied.

The Board found that the veteran's right wrist/hand disability is not related to his service and denied his claim for service connection.

The veteran's duodenal ulcer, confirmed by x-ray examination, first manifested in service and is presumed to have been incurred during active military service within the first year following active service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The veteran's combined evaluation for his left upper extremity disabilities exceeds the maximum evaluation for an amputation of the minor arm below the insertion of the deltoid, and factors warranting extraschedular consideration have not been shown. Therefore, increased ratings are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left knee and right wrist conditions are not service-connected.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left wrist disability, gastrointestinal disorder, and right hip disability. The only medical opinion provided did not support a relationship between these conditions and military service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection for various joint disorders.

The veteran's right shoulder condition was granted a 30 percent evaluation, effective from February 27, 2008. The ratings for the ganglion cysts of his wrists remain at 10 percent.

The veteran's appeal of the September 20, 2002 rating decision was not timely filed. As a result, the Board lacks jurisdiction to consider his claims.

The veteran's postoperative residuals of a right wrist fracture and gastroesophageal reflux disease do not meet the criteria for a compensable rating. The combined effect of his multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities interferes with normal employability, warranting a 10 percent rating.