Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal is dismissed as the claim of an earlier effective date for a right ankle disability was not properly raised. The issues of service connection for wrist and neck disorders are denied due to lack of evidence of current disabilities.

The Board has decided that the Veteran's case requires further examination and review to determine if his current right wrist disorder was aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's symptoms during service, including scaly rashes and abdominal pain, are consistent with early manifestations of systemic erythematosus lupus (SLE), warranting service connection.

The Veteran's service-connected residuals of a left wrist injury are manifested by limited range of motion, but no ankylosis. The Board found that the criteria for an evaluation in excess of 10 percent have not been met.

The Veteran's death was not service-connected, and the appellant's claim for DIC benefits under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1318 has been denied as he did not meet the duration requirement for a total disability rating in existence during his lifetime.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for hepatitis C, left leg disability (status post fracture), and right index finger metacarpal and infection of the dorsum of the right wrist. The decision also addressed a separate issue regarding an initial compensable rating for status post fracture of the right index finger metacarpal and infection of the dorsum of the right wrist.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded due to the need for a current VA examination of his service-connected post-operative ganglion cyst of the right wrist, including a residual scar.

The Board found no service connection for the Veteran's right wrist laceration and denied it.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for right forearm and hand neuropathies, to include carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as an extraschedular evaluation in excess of 70 percent for major depression/generalized anxiety prior to July 12, 2005. The decision also noted that a finding of total disability based on individual unemployability (TDIU) prior to July 12, 2005 was granted.

The Board has granted service connection for the Veteran's left wrist disability, skin disorder, and back disorder. The hearing loss, tinnitus, and left hip disorders were not found to be related to service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his service-connected left wrist degenerative joint disease, finding that the evidence did not show exceptional or unusual circumstances warranting referral for extraschedular consideration. The Veteran's current disability is rated at 10 percent.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not meet the criteria for specially adapted housing or automobile and adaptive equipment eligibility.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for arthritis of various body parts, finding no evidence that these conditions are related to his military service.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for flat feet, bilateral hearing loss disability, tinnitus, and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome was denied. The Board found that there is no evidence of current disabilities or a nexus to service.

The Board granted service connection for a right shoulder disability and assigned an initial 20 percent rating effective July 24, 2008. The Veteran's claims for tendinitis of the right wrist and low back disorder were also granted.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's rheumatoid arthritis of the right hand and wrist is service-connected, as it was caused by an in-service injury.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for increased ratings of her service-connected carpal tunnel syndrome and elbow ligament damage have been granted, with the effective date set at October 9, 2007.

The Veteran's initial ratings for various conditions have been granted and assigned. The effective dates are not specified.

The Veteran's combined rating for his service-connected disabilities is less than the required 70% to warrant a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board denied service connection for arthritis of the right wrist and granted a noncompensable rating for right knee internal derangement. The propriety of recoupment of special separation benefits was also addressed.