Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Board has determined that there is no evidence of current right wrist, left shoulder, bilateral leg, or fibromyalgia disorders related to service. Therefore, the veteran's claims for these conditions are denied.

The veteran's claim for increased evaluations of diabetes mellitus is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran's arthritis of the cervical and thoracic spine was caused by his service-connected low back disability. The claim for arthritis of the left wrist is being remanded to obtain a medical opinion regarding whether it was aggravated by the service-connected low back disability.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative joint disease of his left wrist is not related to his military service, either on a direct basis or as secondary to his service-connected laceration injury affecting the same wrist. The appeal is denied.

The veteran's appeal is remanded for a current VA examination and retrieval of all relevant medical records.

The Board has determined that there is no current medical diagnosis of bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome or arthritis of the hands, and thus the veteran's claims for service connection are denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral wrist disorder and right ankle disorder are as likely as not related to his military service, including service in the Persian Gulf region. The symptoms of arthralgias in both wrists and ankles are explained by an undiagnosed illness.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for diabetic neuropathy of both lower extremities and carpal tunnel syndrome of both upper extremities, finding that his symptoms did not warrant a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his cervical spine, right wrist, left knee, and right knee disabilities. The claim of service connection for hypertension was also denied as there is no indication that it was incurred in service.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome, uterine fibroids, and a gynecological disorder manifested by atypical multinucleated cells. The claim for an increased rating for major depressive disorder was also denied.

The VA denied a compensable evaluation for degenerative arthritis of the bilateral hands and wrists, finding no evidence of limitation of motion or functional impairment.

The Board has reopened the claims for residuals of a right wrist injury and a right ankle disorder, but denied them on the merits.,The claim for cholecystectomy (claimed as residuals of removal of the gall bladder) was not reopened.

The Board found that the veteran's sinusitis was not incurred in or aggravated by active military service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a left wrist disorder, left knee disorder, and anxiety disorder. The decision is based on the lack of evidence showing an in-service injury or nexus to current conditions.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for the cause of the veteran's death, DIC under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151, and whether VA Secretary was obligated to make payment to a vehicle seller under 38 U.S.C.A. § 3902(a).

The Board has determined that the veteran's pes planus was aggravated by his active duty service, and therefore granted service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied. The RO found that the evidence did not support a higher rating for his service-connected conditions.

The Board has determined that further evidentiary development is necessary with regard to the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected left wrist fracture and donor site on left upper tibia. The case is REMANDED for additional VA examinations, consideration of extraschedular evaluations, and obtaining outstanding medical records.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations have been remanded to the RO for a hearing and further review. The case will be returned to the Board after this is completed.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions were not incurred or aggravated during service and may not be presumed to have been incurred in service.