Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected carpal tunnel syndrome of both wrists, finding that the evidence did not support a rating in excess of 10 percent.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a VA examination to assess the severity of his service-connected ulcerative colitis and its complications.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to insufficient medical evidence regarding the current severity of the veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for separate disability ratings for left upper and lower extremity residuals of a closed head injury, as well as an increased rating for right femoral fracture with knee and hip pain due to his failure to report for scheduled VA physical examinations.

The veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to procedural and evidentiary development needs.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claims for service connection for right knee, back, and ulnar neuropathy of the right wrist and arm disabilities secondary to a left knee disability. However, the decision on whether these conditions are service-connected remains pending.

The veteran's claim for a rating in excess of 50 percent for PTSD, service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand, and TDIU was denied. The Board found that there is no medical evidence establishing a nexus between military service and current complaints.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete notice provided to the veteran.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for bronchial asthma and left elbow disability are being remanded due to procedural deficiencies, incomplete records, and the need for further examination.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and PTSD. The decision found that there was no evidence of a verifiable stressor in his service records, and thus denied service connection for PTSD. For carpal tunnel syndrome, the evidence did not support a finding that it arose during or as a result of military service.

The VA has denied the veteran's claim for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent for his service-connected residuals of excision of a ganglion cyst and soft tissue mass, finding that the current disability picture does not warrant such a rating.

The veteran's claims for increased evaluations were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for higher ratings under the applicable rating schedule.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development and consideration of his claim for an increased rating for a right wrist disability.

The veteran's service connection claim for stress incontinence of the bladder is granted. The other claims are addressed in the REMAND portion of this decision.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected residuals of burns of the right hand and wrist was granted, with a 50% evaluation assigned. The issue regarding compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. � 1151 for an incisional hernia resulting from VA hospitalization in July and August 1997 is referred but not addressed.

The Board has determined that further development is required before the claims for increased ratings can be adjudicated.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including consideration of revised criteria for spine disorders and issuance of a VCAA letter.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining records of treatment and verifying stressors related to PTSD. The veteran's service-connected disabilities are also being evaluated.

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for right wrist disorder, epidermophytosis (claimed as punctuate plantar and palmar keratoderma), chronic headaches, back disorder, and stomach disorder. The decision also addressed whether new and material evidence had been submitted to reopen these claims.

The VA determined that the veteran's service-connected laceration scars of the right wrist do not warrant a compensable evaluation, as they are superficial and non-painful with no limitation of motion or other functional impairment.