Wrist & hand decisions — 2010

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches, right median nerve paralysis (carpal tunnel syndrome), and tendonitis and separation of the right shoulder as secondary to a prior work injury in 1988. The Board found that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen these claims.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations were denied. The Board found no evidence of ankylosis or malunion of the tibia and fibula, which would warrant higher ratings under applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including COPD and bilateral pes planus, do not render him unemployable as his education and occupational experience allow for substantially gainful employment.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a right leg injury was reopened. His claim for asbestosis was denied. The Board found that his left shoulder disorder, post-acromioplasty, warranted a 30% evaluation.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left shoulder condition, residuals of a right wrist injury, and bilateral eye condition due to lack of evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board is remanding the claim for a higher rating for the left wrist disability due to further development being required.

The Veteran's left wrist disability is rated at 20 percent, effective August 1, 2005.,For the period beginning August 18, 2009, the Veteran's GERD has been rated at 30 percent.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's history of right ankle sprain is due to a disease or injury incurred in active service. Service connection for this condition is granted.

The Veteran's right wrist disability is currently rated at 30 percent, effective March 1, 2009. The RO denied service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his request for a hearing, and the Board finds that there are no remaining issues for appellate consideration.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the Veteran's death, and thus no jurisdiction remains to adjudicate the merits of this claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to a lack of compliance with previous instructions and to provide the appellant with a new VCAA notice letter.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for carpal tunnel right wrist, bilateral hearing loss, and bilateral tinnitus were denied as there is no evidence of a current disability or continuity of symptomatology since service.

The Board has remanded the case for a VA examination to determine if the Veteran's current right wrist disability is related to her service injury. The Veteran was also denied other issues including urinary tract infection, kidney stones, right knee injury, right hip injury, migraines, and rotator cuff tear.

The Veteran is seeking special monthly compensation based on the need for aid and attendance due to his service-connected disabilities. However, the VA needs to provide an adequate opinion regarding whether he is in need of regular aid and attendance from another person.

The Veteran's service connection claims for multiple conditions, including retropatellar pain syndrome of the right knee, tendinitis of the right wrist, recurrent tinnitus, chronic vasomotor rhinosinusitis with a retention cyst of the left maxillary sinus, and other unspecified disorders have been granted.

The Board has remanded the case due to insufficient medical opinions regarding whether the Veteran's cervical spine disorder was aggravated by service. The carpal tunnel syndrome of the bilateral hands is granted as service connected.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left ear hearing loss, a cervical spine disorder, a low back disorder, a left shoulder disorder, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The Veteran was granted service connection for pseudofolliculitis barbae, left distal forearm scar, and right ear hearing loss with noncompensable evaluations assigned to each.

The Veteran's appeal for higher initial evaluations for residuals of a right ankle fracture, right ankle scar, and residual numbness of the tip of the right middle finger due to suture has been denied.,The Veteran withdrew his appeal regarding service connection for folliculitis.

The Board found that the Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome, right hand was not incurred in or related to his active duty service and denied the claim.