Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Board has remanded the claims for wrist, back, and stomach disabilities due to incomplete service records. The Veteran's conditions are being evaluated based on direct service connection.

The Veteran's claimed conditions, including migraine headaches, hearing loss, arthritis of various joints, asthma, lower back degenerative disc disease and muscle pain, an acquired psychiatric disorder to include depression, allergies and rhinitis, and nerve paralysis, were not incurred in or aggravated by service.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly compensation based on loss of use of the right hand is granted due to the findings that his condition results in no effective remaining function other than what would be equally well served by an amputation stump at the site of election below the elbow with use of a suitable prosthetic appliance.

The Board found that the Veteran did not sustain a right wrist injury or disease in service, and symptoms of a right wrist disorder were not chronic in service. The current right wrist disorder is not related to her active service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right wrist fracture and service connection for a right shoulder disorder, right elbow disorder, and hearing loss. The decision also noted that tinnitus was not adjudicated.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist was denied. His right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome is currently rated as noncompensable (0 percent).

The Veteran's death was not caused by VA carelessness, negligence, or similar fault. The Board finds the preponderance of evidence against his claim.

The Board has remanded the case for further development, including scheduling a VA examination to determine if the Veteran meets the criteria for special monthly pension based on the need for aid and attendance of another. The examiner should assess whether his nonservice-connected conditions render him in need of assistance with activities of daily living.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection have been denied as new and material evidence was not received to reopen any of the previously denied claims.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for fibromyalgia and migraine headaches have been granted. The remaining issues are addressed in the REMAND section.

The Board denied reopening the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's left carpal tunnel syndrome is not separate and distinct from his residuals of interosseous nerve injury, which results in severe incomplete paralysis. The Board denied a separate rating for the carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran's combined evaluation for compensation is 40 percent, which does not meet the criteria for a TDIU as per VA regulations.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's groin trauma and right wrist condition are not related to service, while sinusitis is denied. The claim for residuals of groin trauma was denied.

The Veteran's claim for financial assistance in purchasing an automobile and/or adaptive equipment was denied as his service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for eligibility.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied, except for the grant of service connection for tinnitus with a 10% evaluation effective January 13, 2006. The remaining conditions are not considered to be related to active service.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hernia scar and right wrist strain, as well as her increased rating claims. The Veteran is entitled to a new VA examination due to the passage of time since her last examinations.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for right wrist carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that it was not caused or aggravated by his service-connected right hand disability.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to incomplete development of his claims for higher initial ratings. The VA will provide the Veteran with another opportunity to submit information and evidence, obtain any additional evidence needed, and schedule a VA examination if necessary.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn due to his effective expression of desire to withdraw the claim for right carpal tunnel syndrome and tendonitis, as he wishes to file a separate claim for an increase in disability rating for service-connected gunshot wound of the back and right shoulder with retained metallic fragments.