Wrist & hand decisions — 2001

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been submitted to reopen the veteran's claims for service connection of arthritis of multiple joints, but it is unclear whether this evidence supports a finding of service connection due to the mixed disposition.

The Board has denied increased evaluations for the veteran's dental condition, facial scars, and scars of the left wrist and hand, and legs.

The veteran's claims for service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the right and left wrists are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining medical records and providing a VA neurology examination.

The Board has determined that the veteran is unemployable due to multiple disabilities, including chronic lumbar syndrome and degenerative joint disease. The evidence shows he suffers from a combination of conditions that prevent him from engaging in substantially gainful employment.

The Board has determined that additional development is necessary due to the need for a new rating examination and review of medical records. The appellant's disabilities include seizure disorder, left wrist pain, degenerative joint disease of the elbows, occasional angina-like chest pain, and history of a cerebral vascular accident.

The veteran is seeking an earlier effective date for a 20% disability rating for service-connected residuals of fracture, right wrist. The Board finds no basis to grant this claim and denies the request.

The veteran's claims for higher ratings were denied as he does not meet the regulatory requirements for entitlement to a compensable rating under 38 C.F.R. § 3.324.