Wrist & hand decisions — 2012

The Veteran's right wrist joint pains have been found to be due to an undiagnosed illness, resulting in a grant of service connection. However, there is no evidence of a chronic condition associated with esophagitis reflux during the appeal period.

The Veteran's appeal is REMANDED to the RO for issuance of a Statement of the Case regarding entitlement to a higher rate of special monthly compensation based on loss of use of three extremities. The Veteran must file a substantive appeal within 60 days from the date of the Statement of the Case.

The Board denied service connection for circulatory problems, right carpal tunnel syndrome, left upper extremity neuropathy, and right and left lower extremity neuropathy as secondary to medications taken for a service-connected low back disability. Service connection was also denied for bilateral hearing loss and sinus condition.

The Veteran's claim for increased rating for his left wrist disability, including residuals of a fracture and chronic denervation of the ulnar nerve, was denied as there is no evidence that the current symptoms are due to service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for special monthly compensation and a higher rating for his right wrist injury. The decision is considered to be supported by the evidence at that time.

The Board denied the Veteran's petition to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, left hand due to lack of new and material evidence. The only new evidence submitted was duplicative of previous records.

The Board has accepted the Veteran's October 2007 substantive appeal as timely filed, allowing her to proceed with her claims for higher initial ratings for various service-connected disabilities. The effective date of these awards is set at November 1, 2005.

The Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected right wrist disability is being remanded due to the need to obtain SSA records and provide a contemporaneous VA examination.

The Board has remanded the claims for edema of the hips and hands, bilateral shoulder disorder, and thoracic spine disorder due to incomplete development. The Veteran's service connection claims are being remanded for further examination and opinion.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development of his claims, including obtaining medical records and providing VA examinations.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right elbow and left wrist disabilities were denied as the evidence did not show that the conditions warranted higher disability ratings.

The Veteran's cervical spine disability was not rated higher than 10 percent from August 1, 2007 to October 22, 2008 and in excess of 20 percent from October 23, 2008.,The Veteran's left ankle disability was rated at 10 percent from August 1, 2007 to October 22, 2008 and increased to 20 percent from October 23, 2008. The rating decision did not specify the effective date.,The Veteran's right wrist disability was rated at 10 percent. No specific effective date is provided in the decision summary.,The Veteran's left ulnar nerve laceration was rated at 10 percent. No specific effective date is provided in the decision summary.

The Veteran's claim for pension benefits is denied as he does not meet the criteria for permanent and total disability due to his nonservice-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for skin cancer, claimed as due to exposure to herbicides, was denied. The claims for increased PTSD rating and for various scars were also denied.

The Veteran seeks compensation under the provisions of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for a right wrist disability (discoloration of area around right wrist). The case is being remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding the cause of the discoloration.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of medical records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's carpal tunnel/ulnar neuropathy of both upper extremities is related to her military service, and thus service connection is granted.

The Board found that the Veteran's right and left carpal tunnel syndromes were not incurred in or aggravated by military service. The evidence did not show a nexus between any currently existing disabilities and his period of service.

The Board denied service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, fibromyalgia, and COPD as due to an undiagnosed illness during service. The Veteran's claims were not addressed in terms of presumptive service connection under the Gulf War Veterans' Illnesses presumption.