Wrist & hand decisions — 2001

The veteran's claims for service connection and increased evaluations for his bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including VA examinations.

The veteran's appeal is being remanded for further examination and evaluation of his service-connected disabilities, specifically the residuals of shrapnel wounds to the right wrist and right lower back, hip, and upper thigh. The RO will consider whether separate ratings are warranted for any tender scars or neurological manifestations.

The Board denied increased ratings for the veteran's service-connected left hand disorder, neuropsychiatric disorder (conversion reaction), and residuals of his head injury (chronic brain syndrome).

The Board has determined that the veteran's current arthritis of the knees resulted from an in-service injury and granted service connection for this condition.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation of his right wrist disorder is being remanded due to uncertainty regarding the extent of weakness related to his service-connected condition.

The Board has granted a 30 percent rating for the post-operative residuals of fusion of the right wrist with traumatic arthritis, finding that the veteran's impairment is equivalent to favorable ankylosis of the major wrist.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right wrist disorder warrants a 30 percent disability evaluation, which is more than the current 10 percent rating.

The veteran's claimed conditions were not shown to be related to service, including his Persian Gulf War service. The RO denied the veteran's claims for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for increased evaluations for residuals of a left wrist fracture with carpal tunnel syndrome and residuals of a right little finger fracture, finding that the current ratings were in line with the applicable diagnostic codes.

The Board has granted service connection for residuals of a triangular fibrocartilage injury of the right wrist and impingement syndrome of the right shoulder, but denied service connection for any multiple joint disorder affecting the ankles, feet, left shoulder, or left elbow.

The veteran's claim for service connection for a right wrist scar was reopened, and he is now entitled to a 30 percent evaluation for his PTSD. The claims for bilateral hearing loss disability, bilateral ankle disability, skin rash, and prostate disability were denied.

The Board has granted a 50 percent evaluation for post-traumatic stress disorder, effective from the date of claim. The ratings for right and left carpal tunnel syndromes remain at 30 and 20 percent respectively, with no change in the rating for postural vasovagal syncope.

The veteran is granted compensation for the postoperative residuals of an excision of a right recurrent ganglion cyst resulting from VA treatment, but not for the postoperative residuals of a right carpal tunnel syndrome.

The Board has granted service connection and assigned a 10 percent rating for the veteran's fascial hernia of the left leg. The claim for periodontal disease is denied as it does not qualify for compensation purposes. Service connection for carpal tunnel syndrome of the left wrist remains pending.

The veteran's claim for an increased evaluation for his service-connected status post sympathetic reflex dystrophy of the left wrist and forearm is being remanded due to insufficient medical evidence. The VA will obtain additional records, conduct a neurological examination, and review the case again after receiving all necessary information.

The Board has determined that the veteran's right ankle disability warrants a 20 percent rating, and his left wrist disability does not meet the criteria for an increased rating.

The Board has granted service connection for the veteran's left hand and wrist disabilities, but denied any request for higher initial ratings.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the service connected residuals of a left ankle fracture and arthritis of the left wrist, finding that these conditions result in marked limitation of motion.

The Board has determined that the veteran's left wrist disability warrants a 10 percent rating based on limitation of motion, and no higher as it does not meet criteria for ankylosis or other compensable conditions.