Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations of his service-connected right hand, wrist, and left lower leg shrapnel wounds are being remanded due to the need for additional VA examinations.

The Veteran's service connection claim for a chronic disability of the left hand, wrist, and elbow is denied. The claim for PTSD is granted.

The Board found no evidence that the Veteran's left CTS was incurred in service or due to his service-connected right wrist disability. The claim for direct service connection is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's vocational rehabilitation goal of employment as a paralegal is not reasonably achievable due to his service-connected disabilities and non-service-connected conditions, including mental health disorders.

The Board dismissed the Veteran's appeal due to his withdrawal of claims in writing, which was deemed irrational at the time.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for additional development due to incomplete records and need for medical opinions.

The Veteran's appeals for increased ratings on her right foot disability and hemorrhoids have been dismissed due to withdrawal of the claims. The effective date for a 20 percent rating for hemorrhoids has been granted as June 21, 2004.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings were granted, with the exception of allergic rhinitis. The Veteran was awarded a 10 percent disability rating for low back strain with hip strain, a 40 percent rating for polycystic ovarian cysts and uterine fibroids, and an initial compensable rating for right foot scar.

The Board found that the Veteran's postoperative bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome was not incurred in or aggravated by service and denied his claim.

The Veteran's claim for special monthly pension based on the need for regular aid and attendance of another person was denied. However, he is eligible for special monthly pension by reason of being housebound due to his age over 65 and multiple disabilities.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current bilateral hearing loss is not related to his military service, including any noise exposure therein. As such, the claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss was denied.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including his shrapnel wounds and stroke-related conditions, have significantly impacted his mobility. He is seeking specially adapted housing assistance and a special home adaptation grant to accommodate these needs.

The Veteran's claim for automobile and adaptive equipment or adaptive equipment only is denied as he does not meet the eligibility criteria set forth in VA regulations.

The Board found no evidence of a chronic sinus disorder, bilateral knee disorder, or left wrist disorder. The Veteran's service treatment records did not diagnose these conditions and the VA examination reports did not reveal any pathology for these disorders.

The Board found no evidence of a relationship between the Veteran's right ulnar neuropathy, carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist, and carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist and his military service. The Veteran's current employment as a postal worker is considered to be more likely related to these conditions.

The Board finds that the Veteran's claimed low back pain, left wrist disability, and right wrist sprain are not related to his active service. The evidence does not support a finding of direct service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for service connection were denied as his conditions are not shown to be related to his military service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for left wrist carpal tunnel syndrome and a rating in excess of 10 percent for uveitis of the left eye, finding no evidence to support these claims.

The Veteran's service connection claims for chronic pain of multiple joints, left wrist osteochondral erosion surgery and history of Dequervains' tenosynovitis, and left hip greater trochanter bursitis were denied as the evidence did not show that these conditions are related to her military service.,Initial compensable ratings for s/p osteochondral erosion surgery and history of Dequervains's tenosynovitis, left wrist, and left hip greater trochanter bursitis were also denied. The Veteran was found to have two or more separate permanent service-connected disabilities that clearly interfere with normal employability.

The Veteran's service-connected right wrist and hand disability, resulting from a laceration, is currently rated at 10 percent. The VA determined that the current rating adequately reflects the severity of his condition.