Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for a middle and low back disorder, right wrist disorder, bilateral shin splints, and right knee disorder. The appeals were based on her contention that these conditions were incurred or aggravated by military service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection have been denied due to lack of new and material evidence. The veteran was not granted any benefits as a result.

The veteran's appeals for increased ratings for right and left wrist conditions have been dismissed due to the withdrawal of these issues by his representative prior to a decision being made.

The veteran was found to be unemployable due to her service-connected disabilities as of November 13, 2000, and the effective date for TDIU is set at August 13, 2001.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hip disability, but denied the remaining claims as there is no current chronic acquired psychiatric disability or a chronic gynecological disability related to an endometrial polyp.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service records and the need for further examinations to determine the etiology of the veteran's current bilateral knee, shoulder, wrist, elbow, hearing loss, tinnitus, and skin disorders.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not render her in need of aid and attendance or housebound, thus the claim for special monthly compensation by reason of being in need of aid and attendance or on account of being housebound is denied.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities were denied. The left ulnar neuropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as the arthritis of the left elbow, do not warrant a higher rating under applicable VA regulations. The right shoulder condition is also rated at its maximum allowable level.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, glaucoma, and headaches. The decision also referred a claim of increased rating for right knee disability to the RO.

The VA denied the veteran's claim for an initial disability rating in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected residuals of a right wrist fracture, as the evidence did not show that the condition warranted such a higher rating.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected left wrist disability, characterized as residuals of a fracture with traumatic arthritis, does not warrant a rating in excess of 20 percent.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including sinusitis, urinary tract infections, and bilateral foot disabilities. The veteran was granted a 10% rating for atopic dermatitis effective October 24, 2005.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current residuals of amebic dysentery, gunshot wound to the right hand and wrist, or shell fragment wound to the left leg. The claim for COPD is denied as there is no evidence linking it to exposure to phosene gas in service. The skin disorder claims are also denied due to lack of evidence connecting them to service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's residuals of a right wrist fracture warrant an evaluation of 20 percent, but not higher.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome with left ulnar nerve neuropathy, finding that it was not related to any injury or disease incurred in service. The issue of reopening a 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 claim for compensation resulting from VA medical treatment is remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome, multiple joint pain (including as due to an undiagnosed illness), hysterectomy, and diabetes mellitus. The appeals were based on direct service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claim for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome as it is not a compensable disability. The claim for an increased evaluation of her degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine was granted, with a 60% evaluation effective October 2002.

The Board has determined that the evidence is in relative equipoise, and therefore, service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is granted.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic leukopenia, dislocation of the right shoulder and partial clavicle removal, residuals of a right wrist fracture, and genital herpes due to lack of available service records and insufficient evidence linking these conditions to his military service.

The Board found that the veteran's cervical spine disability, CTS, arthritis of the hands, and low back disability are not service-connected as secondary to his service-connected bilateral lower leg disability. The case is being remanded for further examination.