Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Board has ordered the case back to the RO for further adjudication due to inconsistencies in the electromyogram results and need for clarification of the veteran's service-connected right wrist disability, including potential carpal tunnel syndrome or peripheral nerve disease.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left wrist disability, which is rated as 30 percent disabling due to moderate incomplete paralysis, does not warrant a higher evaluation.

The Board found that the veteran's claim for compensation under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 for right wrist disability claimed to be due to or aggravated by medical treatment provided by the VA is not well-grounded, and denied the claim. The increased rating claim for post-traumatic stress disorder was also considered but no decision was made as it required additional development.

The veteran's tinnitus is found to be due to disease or injury incurred in service, and thus granted service connection.

The veteran's claim for an increased rating of his residuals of a right wrist fracture is being remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and development.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded due to a scheduling issue, and no service connection issues are currently pending.

The Board has reopened the veteran's claims for service connection for left wrist disability, asthma, and post-traumatic stress disorder. However, it found that these claims are not well-grounded.

The Board denied the claim as not well grounded due to lack of evidence linking a right wrist injury in service to current residuals.

The Board has granted the veteran's claim for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand, finding that his left hand disabilities contributed to cause or at least worsened this condition. The issue of TDIU is also addressed.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings for bilateral pes planus with hallux valgus, osteoarthritis of the left wrist, and degenerative joint disease of the right wrist were denied. The RO found that the current ratings adequately reflected the severity of these conditions.

The Board denied entitlement to increased ratings for allergic/vasomotor rhinitis with headaches, pseudofolliculitis barbae, right wrist disability, and lumbosacral strain (back).

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for higher disability ratings are not well-grounded and have denied them. The evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under any applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a concussion to include headaches and pain, as well as carpal tunnel syndrome of the right upper extremity, are not well-grounded. The evidence does not support these claims.

The veteran is not entitled to payment or reimbursement by VA for medical expenses incurred at Valley Lutheran Hospital from October 13, 1996, to October 15, 1996.

The Board has determined that the evidence does not support a finding that the veteran's left ulnar nerve release or carpal tunnel syndrome is proximately due to or the result of his service-connected left wrist laceration. As such, the claims for secondary service connection are denied.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection were not well-grounded, as there was no medical evidence linking his current conditions to his active service or chemical exposure.

The veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including peripheral neuropathy, PCT, skin cancer, breathing problems (COPD), bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and sleep apnea due to exposure to Agent Orange are denied.

The veteran asserts that his right wrist and forearm disability has worsened since a previous VA examination in May 1998. The Board finds this claim plausible and requests a new VA examination to assess the current severity of the condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, a disability of the right hand and wrist secondary to his service-connected gunshot wound to the right index finger, and a compensable rating for residuals of a gunshot wound to the right index finger. The evidence did not support these claims.

The veteran's nonservice-connected disabilities, including hypertension, mild pulmonary obstruction, and bilateral pes planus, do not meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating for pension purposes as his combined disability evaluation is only 30 percent.