Wrist & hand decisions — 2012

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for multiple joint pain, finding that his symptoms are due to known diagnoses and not related to his military service.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations for various disabilities, including PTSD, knee conditions, elbow degenerative joint disease, cervical spine disability, lumbar spine disability, wrist condition/carpal tunnel syndrome, and left elbow disability. The decision also grants service connection for a bilateral arm disability (claimed as bilateral shoulder disability).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for an updated medical evaluation considering his recent cervical spine surgery and current physical disabilities, including neurologic and motor impairment in the upper extremities.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for arthritis of the left wrist has been withdrawn, resulting in dismissal of the case.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for shell fragment wounds of the left forearm with ulna fracture and arthritis of the wrist was denied in the March 1951 rating decision, as it was considered part of his overall service-connected disabilities. The appellant is seeking accrued benefits based on a finding of CUE in this decision.

The Veteran's service connection claim for PTSD is granted, and he is awarded a TDIU. The right eye chalazion and left carpal tunnel syndrome are not rated compensably or in excess of the current ratings, respectively. The low back disability does not warrant an increased rating.

The Board has reopened the Veteran's claim of service connection for a left shoulder condition and granted service connection for migraine headaches and right wrist disorder. The claims are based on new evidence showing continuity of symptoms since service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been presented to reopen the Veteran's claim for compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C. § 1151 for disability due to EMG/NCV studies performed at the VAMC in Salisbury, North Carolina.

The Veteran's service-connected right and left carpal tunnel syndromes have been rated as noncompensable prior to August 21, 2009, and as 10 percent disabling from that date. The appeal is granted.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the Board found that new and material evidence had been received to reopen her previously denied claims of hearing loss and tinnitus. The right wrist ganglion cyst was not rated compensable, and no other conditions met the criteria for service connection.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple service connection claims for various conditions, as well as a claim for an increased rating and TDIU. The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address these issues.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records from Dr. J.D. regarding treatment of the Veteran's left wrist disability.

The Veteran's service connection claim for headaches, claimed as migraine headaches, is granted. The remaining claims are not addressed in this decision.

The Veteran's TDIU claim is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining SSA records and VA treatment records from April 2011. The Veteran will also be asked to provide information about his employment since 2004.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a gunshot wound to Muscle Group XIX are currently rated at 30 percent, and the claim for an increased rating is granted. A separate 10 percent rating is assigned for scarring of the abdominal region. The issue of TDIU from October 28, 2005 remains unresolved.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including scheduling of a Travel Board hearing and VA examinations to address his service-connected conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims of service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, diabetes mellitus, type II, and hypocalcemia. The effective date for the grant of service connection for hypoparathyroidism was not changed as it remains August 31, 1985.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, and the reduction of his left knee disability rating was found to be improper. The Veteran did not have new and material evidence submitted to reopen several of his claims.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to address the Veteran's claims for service connection, including opinions regarding the etiology of his hypertension, tinnitus, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied as there is no evidence of a current disability. The claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for right wrist scapholunate disassociation, status-post scaphulonate ligament reconstruction, was also denied.