Wrist & hand Board decisions

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound was denied. The RO has not rated all of his disabilities, including those related to his service-connected C5 radiculopathy with bilateral arm weakness, hepatitis C, carpal tunnel syndrome, gastroesophageal reflux disease, gunshot wound residuals, and partial amputation.

The Board granted service connection for various conditions and increased the rating to 10 percent for thrombophlebitis of the left forearm, but denied claims for higher ratings for other conditions.

The veteran's service connection for residuals of a left wrist injury and right knee disability, including total knee replacement, has been granted. The initial rating for the right knee disability is now 30 percent effective June 1, 2005.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for a higher disability rating for his right wrist ganglion cyst and service connection for jungle rot. The veteran's current skin condition was not diagnosed, and there is no evidence linking his current symptoms to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right hand and left knee disabilities, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The veteran's bilateral hearing loss is not related to his active duty service. The RO has scheduled VA examinations for the veteran's GERD and right wrist injury.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claim for service connection for a left wrist disorder and finds that it is warranted based on evidence showing an in-service injury related to the current condition.

The veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of a shrapnel wound to the right eye is granted. The claims for increased ratings for cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine injuries are dismissed due to withdrawal by the appellant. The left hip disability and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome claims are remanded for further development.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have carpal tunnel syndrome of the right and left wrists or a joint disorder of the bilateral great toes that are related to service.,There is no evidence showing any complaints, treatment, or diagnosis of these conditions during active service.

The veteran's claims for higher initial evaluations and service connection were denied. The lumbar spine condition remains at 20 percent, sinusitis at 10 percent, wrist fracture with arthritis at 10 percent, and recurrent central serous retinopathy of the right eye was granted.

The veteran's bilateral knee disorder, diagnosed as iliotibial band syndrome, is related to his active service. The claims for right and left wrist disorders and migraine/cluster headaches are not addressed due to the need for additional medical examination.

The Board found that the veteran's left wrist disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by service and arthritis may not be presumed to have been so incurred. The claim for service connection is denied.

The Board finds that service connection is granted for bilateral hearing loss. Service connection is not granted for defective vision, left eye disability, hyperlipidemia, tonsillitis, upper respiratory disability, headaches, bilateral foot disability, pharyngitis, left thumb and wrist disabilities, bronchitis, right elbow disability, or residuals of a laceration of the left forehead.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for a cervical spine disability and ulnar nerve impairment, as well as his service connection claims for right shoulder impingement, migraines, and synovitis of the right wrist. The evidence did not establish current disabilities for these conditions.

The veteran withdrew his appeal regarding the higher rating for residuals of burn to right hand and wrist with traumatic arthritis, right fifth finger, distal interphalangeal joint.

The Board denied service connection for hypertension, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and a disability of the lumbar spine as there was no competent evidence linking these conditions to the veteran's active service.

The veteran's appeals for higher initial evaluations for right wrist trauma, right hand trauma (including right little finger laceration), and left ear hearing loss have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of his appeal by the veteran.

The veteran's claim for special monthly compensation (SMC) based on the need for regular aid and attendance or being housebound is remanded due to conflicting evidence regarding his service-connected disabilities.

The Board has denied service connection for various conditions, including left ankle fracture, left knee bursitis, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hemorrhoids, and degenerative joint disease of the left shoulder. The veteran's claims are not supported by evidence showing a direct link to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome and degenerative joint disease of the knees, finding that these conditions were not incurred or aggravated in service.