Wrist & hand decisions — 2000

The Board has determined that there was clear and unmistakable error in the February 1979 rating decision denying service connection for varicose veins of the right leg. Service connection is now granted for angiomatous veins of the right leg. The February 1979 rating decision assigning a zero percent rating for residuals of a fracture of the right wrist did not involve clear and unmistakable error.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral wrist disability as not well-grounded, due to a lack of medical evidence linking the current condition to an in-service injury.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in denying service connection for psychoneurosis, but did not address the issue of a rating increase for the left wrist fracture.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for hearing loss and an undiagnosed illness, finding no current evidence of a hearing loss disability. The claim for an undiagnosed illness was not well-grounded due to lack of medical evidence showing signs or symptoms of such an illness.

The Board has determined that the veteran is unemployable due to his service-connected disabilities, and a total rating based on individual unemployability is granted.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities necessitate the need for regular aid and attendance of another person, warranting special monthly compensation based on the need for regular aid and attendance. However, he does not meet the criteria for housebound benefits due to a single service-connected disability rated at 100 percent.

The Board has determined that the veteran's claim for service connection for right carpal tunnel syndrome is well grounded. The claim of entitlement to an increased disability rating for residuals of fractures of the left foot was denied as there is no evidence of a higher rating in the current rating schedule.

The Board found that the veteran's claims for service connection for right and left knee disabilities, as well as right and left wrist disabilities, on a direct basis were not well-grounded. The evidence did not support a link between any current diagnosed conditions of the knees or wrists and service.

The Board has granted an increased rating for the veteran's disability of the left wrist, effective from October 31, 1995. The veteran's other claims have been addressed and are either denied or affirmed.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for tinnitus, residuals of a left wrist strain, bursitis of the right knee, and residuals of a right ankle sprain as his claims are not well grounded.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for his service-connected traumatic arthritis of the first carpometacarpal joint, partial amputations of the ring and little fingers with scars of the palm, and arthritis of the right wrist. The current ratings are deemed appropriate.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his service-connected post-traumatic headaches and left wrist disorder, finding that the current ratings adequately reflect the severity of these conditions.

The Board found that the veteran's right wrist and left femur disabilities do not warrant an increased evaluation beyond the current 10% and 30% ratings, respectively.

The Board has granted a 10 percent evaluation for the veteran's post-operative residuals of a ganglion cyst, left wrist. The condition is rated under the regular schedular provisions as it does not meet criteria for an extraschedular rating.

The Board found no clear and unmistakable error in the January 16, 1945, January 25, 1947, January 29, 1948, and August 12, 1960 rating decisions that assigned and continued a 10 percent evaluation for service-connected residuals of a gunshot wound to the right wrist and traumatic arthritis of the right wrist.

The veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for left medial nerve and left ulnar nerve neuropathy, and residuals of carpal tunnel release is not well grounded.

The veteran's evaluation for residuals of fractures of the left radius and ulna remains at 10 percent, as his wrist motion is within acceptable limits despite pain.

The Board denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions, including arthritis of the right hip, left wrist sprain, low back disorder, hypertension, stomach disorder, cerebral vascular accident (CVA) or stroke, and seizure disorder.

The veteran's claims for increased disability ratings for his carpal tunnel syndrome, left ankle injury residuals, and right hand scar are being remanded due to the need for additional examinations.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left wrist disability, including synovitis and residual of fracture, warrants a 10 percent evaluation. The right carpal tunnel syndrome is also rated at 10 percent.