Wrist & hand decisions — 2010

The Board found no evidence of a chronic sinus disorder, bilateral knee disorder, or left wrist disorder. The Veteran's service treatment records did not diagnose these conditions and the VA examination reports did not reveal any pathology for these disorders.

The Board found no evidence of a relationship between the Veteran's right ulnar neuropathy, carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist, and carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist and his military service. The Veteran's current employment as a postal worker is considered to be more likely related to these conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claimed low back pain, left wrist disability, and right wrist sprain are not related to his active service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome and a rating in excess of 10 percent for uveitis of the left eye, finding no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic pain of multiple joints, left wrist osteochondral erosion surgery and history of Dequervains' tenosynovitis, and left hip greater trochanter bursitis were denied as the evidence did not show that these conditions are related to her military service.,Initial compensable ratings for s/p osteochondral erosion surgery and history of Dequervains's tenosynovitis, left wrist, and left hip greater trochanter bursitis were also denied. The Veteran was found to have two or more separate permanent service-connected disabilities that clearly interfere with normal employability.

The Veteran's service-connected right wrist and hand disability, resulting from a laceration, is currently rated at 10 percent. The VA determined that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition.

The Board has remanded the case for further development due to issues related to service connection for back and left wrist disabilities.

The Veteran's left wrist disability was rated at 0 percent prior to June 27, 2006 and increased to 10 percent since then. The appeal is denied as the current rating does not meet the criteria for a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current right wrist disability did not originate during his period of active military service and is therefore denied. The Veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for a scar as the residual of a hematoma of the thigh was also denied.

The Veteran's claim for payment or reimbursement of medical expenses incurred at Sacred Heart Hospital on January 3, 2005 is granted as the services were provided in an emergency and no VA facilities were feasibly available.

The Board denied service connection for cervical nerve damage with decreased strength of both arms, right hip disability, left hip disability, tinea pedis and onychomycosis of both feet, and bilateral CTS disabilities. The Veteran's claims were reopened but the Board found no evidence to support these conditions as being related to his active service.

The Veteran's right and left knee disabilities, as well as his right and left wrist disabilities, were not incurred in service. The Board found that arthritis of the knees and wrists did not manifest within one year following separation from active duty.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome, left carpal tunnel syndrome, a right leg disability, and residuals of a right big toe injury.

The Board found that the appellant did not have a qualifying period of service and therefore is not considered a veteran for purposes of these claims. The Board also determined that there was no evidence linking any claimed conditions to active duty or ACDUTRA.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a skin disorder, left wrist injury, and lung disorder with asthma and bronchitis have been denied. The lung disorder claim is pending as it relates to herbicide exposure in Vietnam.

The Veteran's claim for a higher rating for his right wrist disability was denied. The RO reduced the rating from 20% to 10%, and this decision is upheld as supported by evidence in the record.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining treatment records and scheduling a VA examination to assess the severity of his right knee disability. Additionally, he needs an addendum from the examiner who evaluated his bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome in March 2007 regarding whether it was incurred in service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss is granted. The Board finds that the evidence does not establish the presence of a current disability, but acknowledges his in-service exposure to loud noises and grants service connection based on direct service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a spleen disability, left hand disability, left carpal tunnel syndrome, and DDD of the cervical spine. The evidence did not support these claims.