Wrist & hand decisions — 2001

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected disabilities prevent him from securing and following a substantially gainful occupation, consistent with his education and previous work experience. Therefore, the appeal for a total rating based on individual unemployability due to service-connected disabilities is granted.

The Board has granted service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right hand and retropatellar arthralgia of the left knee, both rated at 10 percent effective November 26, 1998. The veteran's initial claims for increased evaluations were denied.

The veteran's residuals of laceration, muscle group VIII, right with ulnar nerve palsy are rated at 40 percent. The RO also granted service connection for left wrist and right elbow pain as secondary to the service-connected right arm injury.

The Board denied the veteran's claim of entitlement to compensation benefits for right carpal tunnel syndrome with sensory loss and marked weakness under 38 U.S.C.A. § 1151 because no new and material evidence was submitted, and the additional evidence did not show negligence on the part of VA.

The Board has granted a 20 percent evaluation for the appellant's service-connected lumbosacral strain, effective from the date of the RO's May 1995 rating action.

The Board found that the March 1980 rating decision was clearly and unmistakably erroneous, as it failed to apply the correct facts to the existing regulatory provisions. The RO assigned a 20 percent rating for third-degree burn scars on the right hand and wrist, which should have been a 30 percent rating due to the size of the affected area exceeding one-half square foot.

The veteran's claim for service connection for numbness of the right hand, diagnosed as carpal tunnel syndrome, is being remanded due to the need for additional development and examination.

The Board denied service connection for a low back disorder, left shoulder disorder, and left wrist disorder. Additionally, the veteran's claims of entitlement to service connection for bilateral pes planus and a compensable evaluation for residuals of a right ankle injury were also denied.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right shoulder condition, left knee disability, and right knee disability are service-connected. However, the right wrist disability is not considered a current disability for VA compensation purposes.

The Board has granted the appellant's claims for service connection and increased ratings for various conditions, effective from October 12, 2023.

The veteran is seeking a permanent and total disability evaluation for pension purposes, including consideration of his right wrist and elbow disabilities. The RO must evaluate these conditions under the VA's Rating Schedule and determine if they meet the criteria for a permanent and total disability rating.

The VA denied an increased evaluation for the veteran's service-connected right elbow disability, currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has granted an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected post-traumatic osteoarthritis of the right wrist, currently evaluated as 10 percent disabling.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected right and left knee disabilities do not warrant a compensable rating, while his service-connected right (major) and left (minor) wrist disabilities are also rated as noncompensable.

The Board has determined that further development is needed to determine the appellant's employability due to his service-connected disabilities, particularly those of the right hand, right forearm, and left wrist. The case is being remanded for additional examination and evidence collection.

The Board found that the appellant's residuals of a laceration of the right wrist with radial nerve involvement warranted a 20 percent evaluation prior to June 24, 1996 and a 40 percent evaluation on and after August 1, 1996. The decision is mixed as it granted some issues but denied others.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left wrist disability does not warrant a restoration of the 30 percent evaluation, as it currently approximates a 10 percent rating based on incomplete paralysis.

The Board has determined that the veteran's service-connected degenerative arthritis of the cervical spine, status post decompressive laminectomy, warrants a disability evaluation in excess of 40 percent.

The veteran's claim for financial assistance in acquiring specially adapted housing or special home adaptations is denied because he does not meet the criteria for these benefits based on his service-connected conditions.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected disabilities, finding that the evidence does not support a higher rating.