Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for an injury to the proximal shaft of the left radius and ulna with calcification, and decreased range of motion due to bone abnormality (left wrist condition), as well as his other increased rating claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for chronic left carpal tunnel syndrome and special monthly compensation at the housebound rate due to a lack of evidence showing current disability or a single service-connected disability rated as 100% disabling.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have current low back or left wrist disabilities that began during service. The claims of entitlement to service connection for these conditions are denied.

The veteran's appeal was denied as his claim for service connection for Charcot's disease, and the RO's rating decisions of November 1976 and April 1981 were found to be correct.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations and initial ratings in excess of 30 percent for his service-connected carpal tunnel syndrome with traumatic arthritis of the right hand were denied. The RO granted service connection for this condition secondary to a pre-existing disability, evaluated as 30 percent disabling effective October 1, 2009.

The Board has granted a 50 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected residuals of shell fragment wounds to the right hand and wrist, effective from the date of his claim.

The Board denied service connection for several conditions, including a right knee condition, left knee condition, skin condition of the heels, feet, and toes, right wrist condition, left shoulder condition, and arthritic gout of the left foot.

The Board has determined that the veteran's character of discharge from his second period of service is a bar to receiving VA benefits for this period, and thus denied all claims on appeal.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development, including obtaining a VA examination to determine the likely etiology of his claimed migraine headaches and arthritis. The RO must also consider all additional evidence added to the record in November 2006.

The veteran's left wrist disability is rated at 30 percent, effective from the date of his claim. The Board found that the evidence supported a finding of unfavorable ankylosis to 10 degrees dorsiflexion without any other limitation.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new VA examination and consideration of the September 2002 and September 2003 amendments to the rating criteria for his cervical spine disability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hypertension and arthritis of the right wrist as secondary to his service-connected conditions, and also denied an increased rating for his right wrist scar.,The VA examinations did not find any evidence supporting a link between the veteran's current conditions and his service-connected disabilities.

The veteran's recurrent boils in the rear of the neck are found to be due to treatment for the same condition during service while serving in Vietnam. The arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, diabetic retinopathy, heart murmur, and hypertension are not considered service-connected.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were denied. The right elbow disability is currently rated at 10 percent, which is the maximum rating available under Diagnostic Code 5206.

The veteran's claim for special monthly pension on account of being housebound or needing the aid and attendance of another person was denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The veteran's claims for service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome and a psychiatric disability are being remanded due to the need for additional development of the record.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected left wrist fusion did not result in unfavorable ankylosis, and thus denied her claim for a higher rating.

The veteran's claims for an effective date earlier than May 29, 2002 and initial increased evaluations for his service-connected right wrist and knee disabilities were denied. The RO found no legal entitlement to an earlier effective date.

The veteran's hearing loss disability is rated at 30 percent, and the right wrist disability warrants a 30 percent rating. The Board has determined that these ratings are appropriate based on the evidence of record.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for verification of stressors related to PTSD and additional development of private treatment records.