Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Board has determined that the veteran's claimed conditions, including carpal tunnel syndrome and other hand disabilities, IBS, and generalized fibromyalgia, are not service connected. The decision is denied.

The Board found no basis for a rating in excess of 20 percent under Code 5213, as the evidence did not show additional functional loss due to pain that would further limit motion.

The veteran is seeking service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, which she claims began during her military service. The Board has ordered a remand to provide the veteran with an examination and review of her case.

The veteran's right wrist disorder is asymptomatic, while his right shoulder disorder is manifested by pain with abduction to 85 degrees. His service-connected right wrist and shoulder disorders are rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that a more contemporaneous examination is needed to ascertain whether the need for specially adapted housing cited by Dr. Roberts is attributable to specific service-connected disabilities.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for his left wrist fracture, histoplasmosis, and Scheurmann's disease of the thoracic spine. The decision found that the left wrist fracture did not occur in the line of duty and denied reopening of the claims for histoplasmosis and Scheurmann's disease.

The Board granted a 30 percent rating for the veteran's right wrist fracture disability effective from July 29, 1996. The case was also referred to determine if an extraschedular evaluation is warranted.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete VCAA notifications and a need for further medical examination.

The Board has determined that there is a need for further VA assistance in obtaining additional service medical records and conducting examinations to determine the current existence and etiology of claimed conditions, as well as the severity of the veteran's low back disorder. The claims will be remanded for these actions.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left carpal tunnel syndrome as secondary to his service-connected left shoulder disability and a rating in excess of 20 percent for his left shoulder disability, finding no evidence linking the disabilities.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for scheduling a video-conference hearing before the RO. The issues of service connection and reopening claims are still pending.

The Board has denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's right wrist disability and has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen her claims of service connection for cervical spine narrowing, osteophytic impingement, and right shoulder disability. The veteran's right wrist disability is currently rated at 10 percent under Diagnostic Code 5215 due to mild limitation of motion with pain. The Board found that the veteran's cervical spine narrowing and osteophytic impingement and right shoulder disability may be associated with her period of active service, but did not reach a decision on whether they were incurred in or aggravated by service.

The veteran's appeal is remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting a VA examination. The TDIU claim will be adjudicated along with any related rating claims.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hand disorder, entitlement to an increased disability rating for chronic prostatitis, and entitlement to service connection for bilateral hearing loss. The veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome was not associated with his service, and his genitourinary symptoms were related to his nonservice-connected prostate cancer.

The veteran's service-connected residuals of a left wrist fracture are manifested by weakness and some limitation of motion, warranting a compensable evaluation. The other issues have been granted.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claim for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome, which was previously denied in December 1994. The claim is now reopened.

The Board found that the veteran's current tendonitis of the right thumb and wrist is not related to service, as there were no complaints or findings in service records. The claim was denied.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded to the RO for further development, including scheduling VA examinations and readjudication of his claims.

The veteran's appeals for increased ratings and earlier effective dates were denied. The case is remanded to the RO for further action.

The Board has determined that the veteran's joint pain and chest pains may be attributed to his service in the Persian Gulf War, as they are considered undiagnosed illnesses.