Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left elbow arthritis, low back disability, right wrist disability, and bilateral hip disability. The claim for PTSD is being referred to the RO for further consideration.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to issues arising from the Veterans Claims Assistance Act of 2000 (VCAA).

The veteran's claims for service connection have been denied, but new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen some of the previously denied claims.

The veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 due to a carpal tunnel release surgery is being remanded for additional development, including obtaining an expert medical opinion and scheduling the veteran for another VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to a lack of available service medical records and for clarification on the diagnoses and etiology of the veteran's right knee, right wrist, and right elbow disabilities.

The veteran's service connection claims for degenerative disc disease, residuals of a chest contusion, and post-traumatic arthritis were denied. The claim for an evaluation in excess of 30 percent for left distal radius and ulna fracture was granted. The claim for a compensable evaluation for right thumb arthritis was denied. The claim for initial evaluations in excess of 10 percent for degenerative joint disease of the left knee and post-traumatic arthritis of the right knee were both denied.

The Board found that the veteran's disabilities do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension benefits based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or at the housebound rate.

The veteran's postoperative carpal tunnel syndromes were denied increased ratings, and his claim for service connection of a right shoulder disability was also denied.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased evaluations and service connection, finding that the evidence did not support granting any of his claims.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions are not service-connected and have denied all claims.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the claim of service connection for residuals of a right wrist injury, and by extending the benefit of doubt to the veteran, his disability is due to an injury incurred in active service.

The veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for increased ratings on right and left carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as psoriasis with eczema craquelé are being remanded due to inadequate VCAA notification.

The Board has remanded the veteran's claims for higher initial ratings and service connection due to incomplete information, need for further examination, and potential changes in rating criteria.

The Board has remanded the case due to procedural issues and the need for updated medical records. The veteran's claims for increased ratings and a TDIU are being reviewed.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including duodenal ulcer disease, a psychiatric disorder, essential hypertension, chronic renal disease, left knee disability, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, ganglion cyst of the right wrist, hepatitis C, and hyperlipidemia. The decision also remanded the issue of service connection for a psychiatric disorder.

The veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, which she claims are related to her service-connected cervical spine stenosis. The Board has determined that additional development is needed due to the inadequacy of previous examinations and requests further examination and opinion regarding the relationship between her wrist conditions and her service-connected condition.

The Board found no evidence of a hand or arm disability during service and no competent medical evidence linking current bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome to service. Therefore, the veteran's claims for service connection were denied.

The veteran's residuals of a right wrist fracture are not productive of ankylosis, non-union of the radius or ulna or more than mild sensory impairment. Therefore, his claim for a higher rating is denied.

The Board has granted service connection for bipolar disorder and increased the rating for right wrist ganglion cyst removal to 10 percent, effective from August 2000.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating for a left wrist disability is being remanded to the RO for further consideration after initial review of new evidence.