Wrist & hand Board decisions

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection have been denied as there is no evidence of current disabilities that meet the criteria for compensable ratings or service connection.

The Veteran is seeking service connection for headaches, which he claims are related to his service-connected disabilities and/or undiagnosed illness. The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete notice and need for a new VA examination.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right wrist disability is related to her active service and granted service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the Veteran's claims for service connection for a left wrist scar and an initial compensable disability rating for residuals of a left wrist tendon laceration due to lack of compliance with scheduled VA examinations.

The Veteran's service-connected disabilities, while disabling, do not render him unable to secure or follow a substantially gainful occupation.

The Veteran's appeal was denied for all issues except gout, which received a 20% disability rating. The remaining conditions were either not granted or had their ratings denied.

The Veteran's right carpal tunnel syndrome/ulnar neuropathy, Meniere's syndrome/vertigo, and hypertensive vascular disease were not incurred in or aggravated by his active service.

The Veteran's left wrist disability, including a fracture with bone graft and degenerative joint disease, is currently rated at 10 percent. A separate 10 percent evaluation for the superficial left wrist scar has also been granted.

The Veteran's appeals for service connection and rating were denied. The RO granted service connection for tension headaches associated with seizure disorders, but assigned a noncompensable rating.

The Board has denied service connection for tinnitus due to a lack of evidence linking the condition to active duty service. The Veteran's claim for hearing loss is pending, as VA needs to obtain additional personnel records related to his Reserve status.

The Veteran's claims for nerve and muscle damage due to surgery, right groin (to include right pelvic/hip damage causing the right side to be shorter than the left), root canal problems (to include gum disease with loss of teeth), fibromyalgia (to include body wide sickness and nausea secondary to dental work and extreme fatigue), depression, insomnia, neck problems (claimed as neck problems with bone spurring), back problems (claimed as scoliosis in the spine), chronic ear problems (claimed as hole punctured and eardrum), anemia, vision problems (to include an eye condition), hearing loss, impairment of the right knee, right foot condition, head condition, carpal tunnel syndrome, right (also claimed as paralysis of medial nerve), left knee condition, and left foot condition have all been denied due to lack of new and material evidence.

The Board found that the Veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome was not incurred in service and denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied service connection for a disability of the left and right hands and wrists, finding no evidence of current disabilities related to service.

The Board denied a schedular rating in excess of 10 percent for the Veteran's right wrist disability, but acknowledged his contention that it reduced or virtually eliminated his ability to continue working as a mechanic. The Board remanded the claim for an extraschedular evaluation.

The Board has determined that further development is necessary to determine the etiology of any current right hand or wrist disability and whether it is related to service.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete records and the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran's squamous cell carcinoma of the tongue was denied service connection as it is not related to any aspect of service, including exposure to herbicide. Service connection for degenerative disease of the neck and arthritis of the hips and wrists were also denied on a direct basis.

The Board has reopened the claim of service connection for a right toe nail condition and granted service connection. The claims for left carpal tunnel syndrome, bilateral arm disorder, and bilateral leg pain and numbness were denied as not incurred in or aggravated by service. Service connection was also granted for migraine headaches with a 10 percent initial rating.

The Veteran's disabilities, while disabling, do not meet the criteria for special monthly pension based on need for aid and attendance or being housebound.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for residuals of swollen joints, asserted as arthritis of the right ankle, bilateral elbows, and bilateral wrists is being remanded for further examination to determine if he has these conditions and whether they are related to his military service.