Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Board found that the Veteran's left wrist disorder was not incurred in or aggravated by active service.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims for hypertension, bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, and left thumb tenosynovitis due to incomplete records and lack of proper examination regarding her Reserve service.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities do not result in loss of use of either foot or lower extremity, and the Board finds that his inability to walk without crutches is due to spinal conditions rather than a service-connected condition.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection were denied. The Veteran is not entitled to higher disability ratings or service connection based on the evidence of record.

The Board has determined that the Veteran does not have a diagnosed bilateral wrist or hand disorder, and thus cannot establish service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's appeals for higher initial evaluations for his service-connected conditions were denied. The RO maintained the original ratings of 10 percent for GERD, right and left knee strains, lumbar strain, and right wrist tendinitis post excision of ganglion cyst.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection were withdrawn, and the Board dismissed his claims for right foot fallen arch, bilateral trench foot, and numbness in the hands (claimed as bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome).

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for additional development, including a new examination to assess the current severity of her right hip internal derangement and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome. The claims will be reviewed in light of any newly submitted evidence.

The Veteran's appeals for arthritis of the right wrist, right knee, and lumbar spine, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, hypertension, and PTSD have been dismissed as he has withdrawn his appeals.

The Board has granted a rating of 50 percent for adjustment disorder with mixed anxiety and depressive symptoms, effective from the date of the decision.

The Veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist was initially rated at 10 percent prior to August 27, 2004. From that date, a higher rating is not warranted. For his left wrist, he received a 10 percent initial rating which has been maintained.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for gout of the bilateral wrists and ankles have been denied by the RO.

The Veteran's increased rating claim for his right wrist disability was denied as the evidence did not show that his condition warranted a higher rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for arthritis of the wrists, knees, and cervical spine are being remanded due to incomplete records and potential need for additional examination. The case will be reconsidered with both direct and secondary theories of entitlement.

The Veteran's claims for service connection and initial rating have been denied. The Board has remanded the issues of service connection for a psychiatric disorder, chest pain (also claimed as costochondritis), and tension headaches associated with seizure disorder.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development to determine if there is a connection between current left wrist and hand disabilities and service.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for high cholesterol, anxiety, obstructive sleep apnea, headaches (undiagnosed), joint pain in left ankle, joint pain in both elbows, joint pain in both wrists, joint pain in both feet, and bilateral hearing loss. The evidence did not support a finding of direct service connection for any of these conditions.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, including prostate cancer and PTSD, render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for reopening his service connection claims for right wrist and low back disorders due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Veteran's claim for nonservice-connected pension benefits is being remanded due to the need for a VA examination to assess his disabilities and their impact on his employability.