Wrist & hand Board decisions

The RO denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including a ganglion cyst on her left wrist, crush injuries to her right middle finger, and skin disorders. The RO also denied claims for irritable bowel syndrome, hypertension, elevated blood glucose, and hearing loss.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings and service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling examinations.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a back disorder was denied. The issue of new and material evidence for cervical osteoarthritis and left shoulder disorder was granted, but the veteran's request for a compensable evaluation for his left wrist ganglion cyst was denied.,The veteran has not provided sufficient evidence to establish that his current conditions are related to service.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for his residual scar of the right wrist status post ganglion cyst removal, finding that the evidence did not warrant a higher rating.

The veteran's claims for a compensable initial rating for scars, service connection for head injuries, migraine headaches, and dental trauma are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations and development of records.

The Board denied service connection for elevated cholesterol as it does not represent a disability for which service connection may be granted.

The Board found no evidence of a current bilateral wrist disorder and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations and effective dates, as well as his claim for service connection for a back disorder secondary to or aggravated by a left ankle disability. The issues of entitlement to an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent for tinnitus are not before the Board due to lack of timely appeal.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed, including furnishing the veteran with proper VCAA notice and scheduling him for VA examinations to assess his right wrist disability and depression.

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased rating are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and determining exposure to asbestos.

The Board found that the veteran's residuals of a fracture of the right wrist do not warrant a higher rating than the current 30 percent, as his symptoms are consistent with moderate incomplete paralysis.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to procedural defects in the notification and development of her claims for service connection for right wrist disability and an increased rating for left wrist disability. The case will be returned to the RO after necessary actions are taken.

The Board found that the veteran's service-connected disabilities did not prevent him from obtaining and retaining employment consistent with his abilities, aptitudes, and interests. Therefore, he is not entitled to vocational rehabilitation training under Chapter 31.

The veteran's death was not service-connected, but he had been continuously rated as totally disabled for a period of at least ten years immediately preceding his death. As such, DIC benefits were denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left wrist disability warrants a rating of 20 percent, effective from August 20, 2003.

The Board denied the veteran's request for additional VA vocational rehabilitation services due to his refusal to cooperate with a needs assessment, which prevented an informed determination regarding his reentrance into a rehabilitation program.

The Board dismissed the appeal due to the appellant's withdrawal of his claims for service connection for a chronic acquired eye disorder, hearing loss, and an increased evaluation for DJD of the cervical spine at C5-6.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and scheduling VA examinations. The veteran's claims for service connection for a low back disability and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome will be reconsidered after this process.

The Board denied all service connection claims and the claim for an increased evaluation for scoliosis of the lumbar spine. The case is being remanded to develop evidence and consider the claims again.