Wrist & hand decisions — 2001

The Board has determined that new and material evidence was presented to reopen the veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) of the right wrist. The CTS is found to be proximately due to or the result of his service-connected postoperative residuals of an arthroplasty of the MCP joint of the right middle finger.

The Board found that the veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome was not incurred in or related to service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has denied the appellant's claims for increased ratings and service connection for various conditions, including osteoarthritis of the lumbosacral spine with radiculopathy, depression, hepatitis B, appendectomy scar, skin rash, hemorrhoids, right wrist keloid, epididymitis, chronic prostatitis, impotency, colon disorder, anemia, and sinusitis. The claims are denied.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased ratings for his service-connected right thumb fracture and tenosynovitis with right wrist stiffness, finding that the residuals of a fracture of the right thumb did not meet criteria for an increased rating beyond 20 percent, and the initial disability rating for tenosynovitis with right wrist stiffness was also denied.

The Board has determined that the combined service-connected disability rating is correctly calculated as 50 percent. The veteran's appeal for a higher rating for lumbosacral strain remains pending.

The Board has determined that an evaluation of 50 percent, but not higher, for the veteran's service-connected DeQuervain's disease of the right wrist is warranted.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities do not require a program of vocational rehabilitation under chapter 31, as his education and work experience are sufficient to find suitable employment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's bilateral wrist disorder is due to an undiagnosed illness related to service in the Persian Gulf War, and thus grants service connection for this condition.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various disabilities, finding that new and material evidence had not been submitted to reopen his claim of low back disability. The other issues were also denied as there was no direct evidence linking these conditions to active military service.

The Board determined that the veteran was employed as an owner/manager of a liquor store from May 1990 through October 1992, and thus his TDIU rating was terminated effective June 1, 1990. The Board found fraud in connection with the receipt of unemployability benefits.

The VA denied an initial disability rating higher than 10 percent for the veteran's post-operative right wrist injury.

The Board has remanded the case to the RO for further development and readjudication, including consideration of specific provisions related to vocational rehabilitation training.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection and increased ratings, as well as other issues.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining medical records and conducting examinations to determine if the veteran's current disabilities are related to service.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities render him unable to secure or follow substantially gainful employment, and the Board has granted a total disability rating based on individual unemployability.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including narcolepsy, carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist, tendonitis (claimed as left arm pain), hypertension, sinus bradycardia, lumbosacral strain with degenerative joint disease and sciatica, and cervical degenerative joint disease. The appeal is denied.

The VA denied the veteran's claims for initial compensable evaluations for his service-connected right wrist and right elbow scars, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for a compensable evaluation.

The Board has determined that the veteran's tricompartmental arthritis of the left knee, chronic right ankle disorder, bilateral shoulder disorders, arthritis of the hands, wrists and fingers, and chronic osteomyelitis of the left ankle are all secondary to his service-connected postoperative residuals of right knee fusion.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for joint pain and carpal tunnel syndrome, finding no current evidence of these conditions.

The Board denied service connection for the veteran's claimed residuals of a right wrist injury, finding that the evidence did not support a well-grounded claim.