Wrist & hand decisions — 2009

The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue was denied service connection as it is not related to any aspect of service, including exposure to herbicide. Service connection for degenerative disease of the neck and arthritis of the hips and wrists were also denied on a direct basis.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a right toe nail condition and granted service connection. The claims for left carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral arm disorder, and bilateral leg pain and numbness were denied as not incurred in or aggravated by service. Service connection was also granted for migraine headaches with a 10 percent initial rating.

The Veteran's disabilities, while disabling, do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of swollen joints, asserted as arthritis of the right ankle, bilateral elbows, and bilateral wrists is being remanded for further examination to determine if he has these conditions and whether they are related to his military service.

The Board found that the Veteran's service-connected lumbosacral strain warranted a rating of 20 percent, and granted a separate 10 percent rating for neurological manifestations in his right lower extremity. The claim for left wrist disorder was denied.

The Board has remanded the case for further action, including scheduling a video conference hearing before the Board.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for higher evaluations or service connection in all cases.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates of service connection for psoriatic arthritis in his shoulders, wrists, and ankles have been denied as there is no evidence showing the disabilities arose prior to the assigned effective dates.

The Veteran's post-traumatic degenerative joint disease of the right wrist is rated at 10 percent disabling, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5215. The disability does not meet criteria for ankylosis or warrant a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities have been rated based on their current severity, with some adjustments to better reflect the degree of impairment.

The Veteran's service-connected right wrist condition is currently rated at 30 percent, and the Board finds that a higher rating is not warranted.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The issue of entitlement to service connection for a left knee disability is remanded due to the need for additional development.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral peripheral neuropathy of the upper and lower extremities, bilateral hearing loss, and left wrist disability. The Veteran's eye disability is secondary to diabetes mellitus. The Board found no evidence of current bilateral peripheral neuropathy or bilateral hearing loss in service or due to his service-connected diabetes mellitus. The Veteran's left wrist condition was not aggravated by service. New and material evidence has been submitted for the left wrist disability claim, which has been reopened.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome was not incurred or aggravated by service and is not a disease subject to presumptive service connection due to exposure to herbicides. The claim of service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder is remanded.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for a compensable evaluation for his service-connected left wrist disorder, finding that the evidence did not warrant an increase under any applicable rating criteria.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's low back disorder is service-connected, resolving doubt in her favor.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current right wrist disorder attributable to his active service or any service-connected disability. The claim for reopening of the previously denied right shoulder disability was also denied.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining a VA examination for his feet and nasal septum, scheduling the Veteran for a Travel Board hearing, and completing any other necessary development.

The Veteran's service-connected PTSD has been found to warrant a total disability rating for the entire appeal period, due to its severe impairment in social and occupational functioning.

The case is being returned to the RO for due process considerations, including review of additional evidence and application of new regulations. The Veteran's claim for service connection for left carpal tunnel syndrome will be reconsidered in light of all submitted evidence.