Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Board finds that the Veteran's right wrist disability began during his military service and grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for service connection for right ankle, left wrist, and right wrist disabilities. The initial evaluations for TMJ dysfunction were also denied.

The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for additional development, including scheduling an EMG and nerve conduction test of the Veteran's left wrist. The Veteran is advised that failure to attend this examination may result in denial of her claim.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for aching joints, finding that his current condition is not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for earlier effective dates was denied as his application for benefits was received by VA on January 18, 2007, which is the date he contacted the Disabled American Veterans (DAV) office. The one-year deadline for filing a claim after separation from service has expired.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the etiology of the Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome, including consideration of his military service and any exposure to 'PCB' in December 1983. The case will be remanded for these purposes.

The Board has reopened the previously denied claim of entitlement to service connection for a left hip disorder and granted it. The Veteran's right hip disability is rated as 10 percent disabling.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and compensation under the provision of 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 were granted, with the exception that his claim for cervical strain was denied.

The Veteran's appeal involves multiple claims for increased ratings and effective date determinations related to his service-connected disabilities. The Board has ordered additional development, including obtaining medical records and clarifying the application of certain regulations.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to fully and fairly evaluate the Veteran's claims, including obtaining VA treatment records from March 2009 through the present, scheduling a VA examination for post-operative carpal tunnel syndrome of the left upper extremity, and adjudicating the TDIU claim.

The Veteran's appeal has been dismissed due to his death. The issues of entitlement to increased ratings for peripheral neuropathy of the lower extremities were also on appeal but the Veteran indicated he no longer wished to continue these appeals in his August 2008 substantive appeal.

The Board has determined that additional development is needed to ensure all relevant records are obtained and reviewed, including service treatment records and private medical records. The Veteran's claims for service connection will be remanded for further action.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's lymphatic cancer is not related to his active duty, but was presumed due to exposure to herbicides in Vietnam. The neuropathy of the left forearm and wrist is considered a direct result of service without any connection to a service-connected disability.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for migraine headaches and residuals of a ganglion cyst of the right wrist were denied as he failed to report for scheduled VA examinations, resulting in the claims being rated based on the evidence of record.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to tend to the basic functions of self-care without regular assistance from another person and he is in need of aid and attendance.

The Veteran's service-connected left wrist arthritis is manifested by pain but full range of motion. The RO found that the disability did not meet the requirements for a compensable evaluation.

The Veteran's claim for SMC by reason of the need for regular aid and attendance of another person or being housebound was denied as he does not meet the criteria for either benefit.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development due to incomplete records and need for further medical examinations.

The Board denied service connection for chronic headaches, bilateral shoulder disorders, and left and right elbow disorders due to a motorcycle accident in service. The Veteran's current conditions are not related to his military service.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to incomplete records and the need to clarify his periods of active duty. The Board will address these issues in a subsequent decision.