Wrist & hand decisions — 2010

The Board has determined that the Veteran's groin trauma and right wrist condition are not related to service, while sinusitis is denied. The claim for residuals of groin trauma was denied.

The Veteran's claim for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile and/or adaptive equipment was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for eligibility.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, except for the grant of service connection for tinnitus with a 10% evaluation effective January 13, 2006. The remaining conditions are not considered to be related to active service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hernia scar and right wrist strain, as well as her increased rating claims. The Veteran is entitled to a new VA examination due to the passage of time since her last examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that it was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected right hand disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete development of his claims for higher initial ratings. The VA will provide the Veteran with another opportunity to submit information and evidence, obtain any additional evidence needed, and schedule a VA examination if necessary.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his effective expression of desire to withdraw the claim for right carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis, as he wishes to file a separate claim for an increase in disability rating for service-connected gunshot wound of the back and right shoulder with retained metallic fragments.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including tinnitus, a sleep condition, PTSD, major depressive disorder, headaches, and right CTS secondary to left CTS. The decision also addressed an increased rating claim for left wrist tendonitis/CTS.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a flexion contracture deformity of the right hand 5th digit is denied as there is no evidence that this condition had its onset during or is otherwise related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a finding of service connection or entitlement to an initial compensable rating for any of the conditions listed.

The Veteran's claim for an initial evaluation higher than 10 percent for service-connected left wrist Keinbock's disease is being remanded due to the need for a new medical examination.

The Veteran's service-connected carpal tunnel syndrome of the bilateral hands and spondylosis with disc narrowing of the L4-5 have been granted, but his claims for increased ratings are denied.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to accrued benefits and service connection for cause of death. The appellant's claims are pending further development.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities (bilateral hearing loss, right wrist disorder, and tinnitus) prevent him from obtaining or maintaining substantially gainful employment. The Board finds that the criteria for a TDIU rating are met.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining his complete service personnel records and scheduling VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Veteran was also not granted earlier effective dates for Dependents' Educational Assistance (DEA) or Total Disability Rating Based on Individual Unemployability (TDIU).

The Board has granted a 30 percent disability rating for the Veteran's service-connected carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist, effective July 13, 2005. The Veteran's left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome with calcification is not rated higher.

The Veteran has requested to withdraw his appeal for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a left wrist disability, and the Board has dismissed the appeal.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for chronic wrist and ankle conditions have been denied as there is no current diagnosis of these conditions.

The Board found that the Veteran does not have a current diagnosis of any claimed conditions and there is no credible evidence linking these conditions to her military service. As such, she was denied service connection for all issues.