Wrist & hand decisions — 2010

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The issues of new and material evidence to reopen certain claims related to herbicide exposure are also addressed.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a nervous system disorder and a circulatory disorder, finding that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated by active service.

The RO denied increased ratings for the appellant's right shoulder, wrist, knee and ankle disabilities.,The evidence did not meet the criteria for higher disability ratings.

The Veteran's service-connected left wrist strain with ulna impaction is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum available under Diagnostic Code 5215. The claim for a higher evaluation is denied.

The Veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities do not render him so helpless as to need regular aid and attendance in the activities of daily living, thus denying his claim for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance.

The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for hepatitis C, left knee disorder, right knee disorder, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The initial compensable evaluation for service-connected pes planus is also being remanded.

The Veteran is seeking compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for additional disability resulting from surgery performed by VA in May 1998 to treat a fracture of the distal radius. The Board has remanded the case for further development, including obtaining medical opinions regarding whether any current disabilities are due to the May 1998 surgery and follow-up care.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a right hand injury, including a broken wrist and fingers. However, the evidence does not show that his current condition is related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for left thumb and wrist disabilities, finding no medical evidence linking these conditions to service or a service-connected condition.

The Veteran seeks an effective date prior to August 13, 2001 for the grant of service connection for soft tissue sarcoma of the left wrist. The Board has ordered that his claim be remanded so that all evidence received since the December 2004 statement of the case can be considered.

The Veteran's claims for initial compensable ratings for residuals of fractured right wrist and bilateral hearing loss were denied as the evidence did not show that either condition warranted a compensable rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence of current left wrist, cardiovascular/chest, or bilateral ankle conditions. Service connection was not granted due to lack of medical evidence supporting the claimed conditions.

The Veteran's diabetes mellitus, hypertension, peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities, and carpal tunnel syndrome of the upper extremities are all rated at their maximum allowable levels under VA rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the claims due to new evidence submitted by the Veteran and requests for a personal hearing.

The Board denied service connection for right inguinal hernia and did not reopen the claims for left knee and left wrist disabilities. The appellant's claim for increased rating of residuals of appendectomy was also denied.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for shrapnel fragment wounds and scars were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable rating prior to August 30, 2002 or since September 19, 2007.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right elbow, right wrist, and neck conditions as there is no competent medical evidence of current disabilities.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining medical records and arranging for examinations to determine if his current conditions are related to service.

The Board has determined that additional medical examinations and opinions are needed to properly adjudicate the Veteran's claims for service connection due to the complexity of her conditions and their potential relationship to her active duty service.