Wrist & hand decisions — 2001

The Board denied the veteran's claim for service connection for left carpal tunnel syndrome, finding that it was not related to his in-service ganglion cyst removal or any other incident of his active service.

The Board has determined that the veteran's TMJ disorder, tinnitus, and bilateral wrist and elbow disabilities are all service-connected.

The veteran's right wrist disorder is currently rated at 10 percent, and he contends that it should receive a higher evaluation. The RO has requested additional development to determine the extent of his disability.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for residuals of a right shoulder injury, low back injury, and right ankle injury. The claim for higher rating for residuals of a left wrist injury is also denied.

The veteran's claims for an effective date prior to July 14, 1998 for service connection and compensation for epicondylitis of the left elbow were granted. The claim for a higher rating for tendonitis of the left wrist was denied.

The veteran's claim for an increased disability rating for his left wrist disorder was granted, with a 10 percent evaluation. The Board found that the evidence did not warrant further referral for consideration of an extraschedular rating.

The Board denied the veteran's request for a rating in excess of 30 percent for her left wrist disorder, finding that the evidence did not meet the criteria for such an increase during the specified periods.

The veteran's service-connected degenerative joint diseases of the left wrist, thoracic spine, right knee, left knee, and lumbosacral spine are currently rated at 10 percent each. The RO has denied his claims for higher ratings.

The veteran's carpal tunnel syndrome of the right wrist was granted service connection. However, his hiatal hernia with reflux esophagitis and gastroesophageal reflux is currently evaluated at 30 percent and no higher due to lack of evidence showing additional impairment warranting a higher rating.

The Board has granted a separate 10 percent rating for the veteran's limitation of motion in his right elbow, apart from the pain and tenderness caused by his scar. The other claims for service connection have been remanded.

The Board denied the veteran's claim for an increased rating as his service-connected right wrist disability is manifested by discomfort with motion.

The Board has granted an increased disability rating of 30 percent for the veteran's service-connected residuals of fractured left wrist, effective from March 2001.

The Board denied an increased rating for the veteran's service-connected right carpal tunnel syndrome, currently rated at 30 percent.

The Board has granted increased evaluations for the veteran's right and left wrist disabilities, with a rating of 50% for each wrist.

The Board denied an increased rating for residuals of a fracture of the left wrist due to the veteran's failure to report for a scheduled VA examination without good cause.

The Board has granted a 10 percent rating for the veteran's left wrist laceration, which is the maximum schedular rating available under Diagnostic Codes 7803 and 7804. The scar is tender to palpation but not painful.

The Board denied the veteran's request for an earlier effective date of April 19, 2001, for a grant of TDIU due to his service-connected disabilities. The RO found that the claim was received on April 19, 2001.

The Board has determined that the veteran's gastro-esophageal reflux disorder, carpal tunnel syndrome and numbness in hands and arms, sleep disturbance (not due to psychiatric disability), headaches, and poor appetite and weight loss are all service-connected based on their association with undiagnosed illness experienced during her service in the Gulf War theater.

The Board denied the appellant's claim for an increased rating for his service-connected left wrist disability, finding that the schedular criteria for an evaluation in excess of 20 percent had not been met.

The Board has denied the veteran's claims for service connection for left wrist disability, skin disease (vitiligo), hemorrhoids, and right elbow disability. The appeals are based on direct evidence of these conditions without any presumption or secondary linkage to service.