Wrist & hand decisions — 2009

The veteran's right hand disability, including limitation of motion of the wrist and weakened grip strength, does not warrant a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and TDIU are remanded to obtain additional evidence and examinations.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left wrist and hand disability, carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist, and new and material evidence to reopen a claim for service connection for psychiatric disability.

The veteran was granted an earlier effective date of December 6, 2001 for the award of a 50 percent rating for right carpal tunnel syndrome and a 40 percent rating for left carpal tunnel syndrome.

The veteran does not have carpal tunnel syndrome of the bilateral upper extremities that is related to his military service or that is secondary to his service-connected diabetes mellitus.

The Board denied service connection for all claimed conditions as there was no evidence of a current disability, an in-service event, or a nexus between the veteran's military service and any of his claimed disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for a gastrointestinal condition, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and migraine headaches.

The Board finds that a VA examination is necessary to clarify the diagnosis of any existing neurological disorder or disorders and to determine if any currently diagnosed nerve disorder, including carpal tunnel syndrome or neuropathy, is related to the veteran's service-connected ganglion cyst.

The veteran's need for regular aid and attendance is not due to his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder, and he is not permanently housebound by reason of his service-connected post-traumatic stress disorder.

The veteran's service-connected tendinitis and degenerative arthritis of the right wrist is not shown to be more severe than currently evaluated, and an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent is denied.

The veteran's current left knee degenerative joint disease and ACL tear were incurred during active duty service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for cervical spine, lumbar spine, hemorrhoids, and right wrist ganglion cyst excision disabilities.

The veteran's residuals of a laceration wound of the left wrist with median nerve deficit are not shown to be more severe than currently rated at 40 percent.

The veteran's service-connected extrinsic asthma is rated at 30 percent, and he was granted service connection for allergic rhinitis and a chronic left wrist sprain.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a right and left wrist disability as there was no evidence of current disabilities.

The Board denied service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome and a compensable evaluation based on multiple noncompensable service-connected disabilities, finding no evidence linking the conditions to the veteran's military service.

The veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hip arthritis, nerve damage/carpal tunnel syndrome, and an initial compensable evaluation for erectile dysfunction were denied.

The Board denied service connection for post-traumatic stress disorder, residuals of a head injury, respiratory disease, bilateral ankle disability, arthritis, right wrist injury, peptic ulcer disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and right knee disability.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations are being remanded to the RO/AMC for further development.

The veteran's non-service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on a need for aid and attendance or housebound status.