Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's appeal for increased ratings for residuals of a right wrist fracture and pulmonary tuberculosis was denied. The evidence did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, abdominal scar post-Caesarian section, and right wrist tendonitis. The Veteran was granted service connection for these conditions but denied an initial compensable evaluation for migraine headaches.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left hand and wrist has been withdrawn.

The Board has denied the Veteran's request to reopen his claim of entitlement to service connection for the residuals of a right hand injury, finding that the new evidence submitted does not relate to an unestablished fact or raise a reasonable possibility of substantiating the claim.

The Board denied service connection for low back and right wrist disabilities, finding that the character of discharge from active duty in 1988-1991 was a bar to VA benefits.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right hand carpal tunnel syndrome was not incurred or aggravated during active service.

The Veteran is unable to secure and follow substantially gainful employment as a result of his service-connected disabilities, including low back disability, right knee disability, left knee disability, hypertension, right wrist disability, and left ankle disability. The Board finds that the evidence supports a TDIU on an extraschedular basis.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his laceration scar on the dorsum of the left hand and carpal tunnel syndrome of the left hand, finding that the evidence does not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation or an initial evaluation in excess of 10 percent.

The Veteran's claims for increased evaluations for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right and left hands/wrists were denied as there is no evidence showing moderate or severe incomplete paralysis, respectively.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder other than bipolar disorder (to include PTSD) has been granted. The remaining issues have been dismissed due to withdrawal of appeals.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the evidence is at least in equipoise as to whether these conditions are related to service. The claims of entitlement to service connection for heart disease and emphysema have been remanded due to the need for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a right hand disorder other than carpal tunnel syndrome and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome were denied by the RO. The Board has remanded the case to obtain additional medical examination and opinion.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings were denied as his conditions did not meet the criteria for a higher rating under applicable VA regulations.

The Veteran's claim for an initial rating in excess of 20 percent for diabetes mellitus was granted, and the effective date for service connection for his complications due to type II diabetes mellitus was set at September 10, 2003. The TDIU award was also granted with a retroactive effective date of September 10, 2003.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a bilateral wrist and hand disability, an eating disorder, a low back disability, and a heart disability have been denied. The Veteran's claim for service connection for a bilateral hearing loss disability is pending.

The Board has determined that the appellant's right knee and low back disabilities, as well as her bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, may be related to service. However, due to the need for medical opinions on etiology, the claims are being remanded for further development.

The Board found no evidence of a current disability for hearing loss, and denied service connection for bilateral astigmatism as it is not a disease or injury within the meaning of applicable legislation. Service connection was granted for tinnitus, sinusitis, and carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Veteran has withdrawn all issues currently on appeal.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has not been received to reopen the claims for service connection for right knee patellofemoral syndrome, left knee injury (status post total knee replacement), right wrist myofascial strain, and status post right ankle fusion with flattened arch and foot pronation. The Veteran's current disabilities are considered to be due to natural aging and overuse of joints from past employment history.

The Veteran's claims for an effective date prior to July 5, 1996 for the grant of service connection and a compensable evaluation for his right wrist scar were denied. The Board found that the December 1996 rating decision was final as to the effective date assigned at that time.