Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Board denied the Veteran's request for an earlier effective date for service connection due to lack of evidence that could change the assigned effective date, which is August 16, 2005.

The case is being remanded to locate the Veteran's service treatment and personnel records, which are currently missing. The Veteran will be provided an opportunity to submit copies of any records he may have in his possession.

The Board has determined that additional VCAA notice is required as the current notice did not include a list of service-connected disabilities and an explanation of the information or evidence needed to establish a disability rating and effective date.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for her service-connected torn ligament of the right wrist and allergic rhinitis, finding that the evidence did not support a higher rating under the applicable VA rating criteria.

The Veteran's service-connected left wrist disability is currently rated at 10 percent, the maximum schedular rating under Diagnostic Code (DC) 5215. The Board finds no evidence of ankylosis or other conditions warranting a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims are being remanded to obtain additional service records and verify his claimed periods of active duty, ACDUTRA, and INACDUTRA. The Board will then consider the remaining issues for service connection.

The Veteran's service connection claims for groin or scrotal pain, left carpal tunnel syndrome, chronic lumbar strain, spastic colon, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and hemorrhoids have been denied. The claim for major depressive disorder was granted with a non-compensable rating.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right wrist disability and Graves disease were denied as the evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Veteran's service connection claims for cold injury residuals and knee osteoarthritis were denied. The Veteran was granted service connection for degenerative joint disease of the first metatarsophalangeal joints of both feet, but not for his hands or wrists.,Service connection for right wrist carpal tunnel surgery under 38 U.S.C. § 1151 was granted.

The Board has determined that the evidence is at least in equipoise regarding the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and a psychiatric disability, including PTSD and major depressive disorder. Service connection is granted.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for headaches and seizures as residuals of a head injury, and for a rating in excess of 10 percent for his left wrist fracture. The claim for heart disability is addressed separately.

The case is REMANDED for a Board hearing and further development. The Veteran will be scheduled for a hearing either at the local RO or via video conference, whichever they prefer.

The Board has granted service connection for a lumbar spine disability and found that the Veteran's current stomach disability is related to his active service. The right wrist arthralgia, hysterical nervousness (conversion type), and residuals of puncture wound to the right foot instep are all considered separately.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed disabilities are not related to his active service, ACDUTRA, or INACDUTRA and are not caused by a pre-existing condition.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's De Quervain's disease of the right wrist manifested during active military service and is therefore granted service connection. However, there is no evidence of current hearing loss or tinnitus to support service connection for these conditions.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claimed cervical spine, low back, bilateral hip, and upper extremity neurological disorders are not etiologically related to his military service.

The Board denied service connection for all claimed conditions, finding that the evidence did not show their presence or association with military service.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including a new VA examination and an addendum to the previous wrist conditions examination.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for a compensable rating for her service-connected right wrist disability and a rating in excess of 10 percent for her service-connected left patellar femoral syndrome with thigh atrophy.

The Veteran's left carpal tunnel syndrome was found to be etiologically related to her military service, and she is granted service connection for this condition.