Wrist & hand decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the Veteran's left wrist disorder and degenerative disc disease with herniated nucleus pulposus of the lumbosacral spine did not have their onset during service or are related to any incident in service, including lifting heavy objects. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Veteran's claims of service connection for various conditions, including PTSD and hypertension, were denied. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been received to reopen the previously denied claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for left wrist disorder, stroke, and right shoulder disorder have been denied as there is no evidence of a current disability related to his complaints during service.

The Board has reopened the claims for service connection for narcolepsy/fatigue and nerve damage, right elbow (secondary to service-connected residuals, right elbow fracture), but denied the claim for service connection for unexplained nerve loss and numbness of the hands, arms, legs, and feet (to include current claim of bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome).

The Veteran's left wrist disability is characterized by pain, decreased grip strength, and difficulty with daily activities. The Board found that the current rating of 10 percent adequately reflects his symptoms.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left wrist disorder are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling an orthopedic examination.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple claims for service connection and evaluation of various disabilities, including a right wrist cyst, left knee disability, psychiatric condition, PTSD, joint pain, rash, and eye/sinus infection. The Board has determined that additional development is necessary to address these issues.

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed as the claim of an earlier effective date for a right ankle disability was not properly raised. The issues of service connection for wrist and neck disorders are denied due to lack of evidence of current disabilities.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's case requires further examination and review to determine if his current right wrist disorder was aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's symptoms during service, including scaly rashes and abdominal pain, are consistent with early manifestations of systemic erythematosus lupus (SLE), warranting service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a left wrist injury are manifested by limited range of motion, but no ankylosis. The Board found that the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and the appellant's claim for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 has been denied as he did not meet the duration requirement for a total disability rating in existence during his lifetime.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, left leg disability (status post fracture), and right index finger metacarpal and infection of the dorsum of the right wrist. The decision also addressed a separate issue regarding an initial compensable rating for status post fracture of the right index finger metacarpal and infection of the dorsum of the right wrist.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a current VA examination of his service-connected post-operative ganglion cyst of the right wrist, including a residual scar.

The Board found no service connection for the Veteran's right wrist laceration and denied it.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right forearm and hand neuropathies, to include carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as an extraschedular evaluation in excess of 70 percent for major depression/generalized anxiety prior to July 12, 2005. The decision also noted that a finding of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to July 12, 2005 was granted.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left wrist disability, skin disorder, and back disorder. The hearing loss, tinnitus, and left hip disorders were not found to be related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected left wrist degenerative joint disease, finding that the evidence did not show exceptional or unusual circumstances warranting referral for extraschedular consideration. The Veteran's current disability is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or automobile and adaptive equipment eligibility.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for arthritis of various body parts, finding no evidence that these conditions are related to his military service.