Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for chronic bilateral wrist, hip, and low back disabilities (claimed as arthritis), finding that there was no evidence to support these conditions during his period of active duty. The severance of VA compensation for arthritis of the right and left knee awarded in 2003 was also upheld.

The veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and proper VCAA notice.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral knee condition and bilateral finger condition as they are as likely as not related to service. The veteran's post-service medical records provide evidence in support of these claims.,Service connection was denied for bilateral hearing loss and left inguinal hernia due to lack of evidence linking the conditions to service.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected post-operative residuals of a left wrist fracture is denied as the evidence does not support a higher evaluation.

The veteran's initial claim for an increased rating for his right wrist disability is being remanded due to the need for further evaluation, including consideration of whether he is entitled to an extra-schedular rating. The current evidence does not warrant a higher evaluation under the existing criteria.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss and an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for scaphoid fracture with deQuervain's tenosynovitis, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability meeting VA criteria for hearing loss or sufficient functional impairment to warrant a higher rating.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected postoperative fracture of the carponavicular bone of the left wrist is being remanded to obtain additional information and comply with due process considerations.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not currently have bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and therefore, service connection for this condition is denied.

The Board found that a chronic disorder of the feet, conjunctivitis, diabetes, and right wrist ganglion were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The Board found no evidence linking the left wrist disability or tinnitus to his service, and there was insufficient medical evidence to support a secondary service connection claim for the right wrist disability.

The veteran is seeking service connection for residuals of a right wrist injury, including arthritis. The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine if the veteran currently has any residuals of his inservice right wrist injury.

The veteran's claim for service connection for subcutaneous scar tissue or inclusion cyst on the ventral aspect of the penis, claimed as residuals of a circumcision is granted. The veteran also has an extraschedular evaluation in excess of 30 percent for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

The Board has remanded the case for compliance with VCAA requirements and further appellate consideration.

The Board finds that the veteran's loss of use of his hands is due to service-connected disabilities, and thus he is entitled to special monthly compensation.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his left knee, right knee, and right wrist disabilities. The evidence did not support a higher rating based on limitation of motion or instability.

The veteran's service-connected shell fragment wound to muscle group VIII with comminuted fracture of the right ulna, retained foreign bodies, weakness, and limitation of motion at the wrist is rated as 30 percent disabling. The VA has granted a higher evaluation for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his left wrist disability, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of the current 10 percent.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for general and special apportionments of his service-connected disability compensation payments, finding that he is not reasonably discharging his responsibility for support of his spouse or children, and that a special apportionment would cause undue hardship.

The Board found that the veteran's left wrist disability pre-existed service and was not aggravated by military service, thus denying his claim for service connection.

The case is being remanded for further evaluation of the veteran's right wrist disability, including whether it is degenerative in nature and related to other joint issues. The veteran will be scheduled for a hearing at the RO.