Wrist & hand decisions — 2001

The Board denied the veteran's claims of service connection for peripheral neuropathy and bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome, as well as his claim for an increased rating for a left ankle disability. The left ankle condition is currently rated at 20 percent.

The Board has determined that the initial noncompensable ratings assigned for herpes simplex infection and left wrist ganglion cyst are proper. The veteran's claims for increased evaluations have not been initiated.

The veteran's cervical spine intervertebral disc syndrome is currently rated at 10 percent, but the Board finds that a higher rating of 30 percent is warranted due to painful limitation of motion and muscle spasm. Ratings for right wrist tendinitis and strain are not met at any time during the appeal period.

The Board has determined that the appellant's service-connected conditions do not warrant an increased rating as they are currently asymptomatic or within normal limits.

The veteran's claims for increased ratings and service connection are denied. The Board found that the evidence did not support a rating greater than 10 percent for his left wrist disability, and he does not meet criteria for an original rating greater than 10 percent for atrophy of the thenar muscles of the left hand.

The Board has determined that the veteran's degenerative disc disease of the cervical and lumbar spine did not preexist service or become more severe during service, and thus cannot be presumed to have been incurred therein. The veteran's bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome is also not considered to have been incurred in service.

The veteran's claim for pension is being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining treatment records and considering his work history.

The Board has restored a 40 percent rating for the veteran's service-connected residuals of a fusion of the right wrist, finding that the clinical evidence does not demonstrate unfavorable ankylosis. However, it denied entitlement to a higher rating as no other diagnostic codes apply and there is no indication of marked interference with employment.

The Board has determined that the veteran's appeal is denied as his claim for an increased evaluation for residuals of a right hand/wrist injury was not well-grounded and further development is needed.

The Board has granted the requested increased evaluations for the veteran's service-connected conditions. The postoperative residuals of the fracture of the left wrist with traumatic arthritis are currently rated at 20 percent, which is within the range sought by the veteran. The neuropathy of the left wrist is rated at 30 percent effective from May 22, 1995 and reduced to 10 percent effective from March 2, 1999. A noncompensable evaluation for surgical scars on the left wrist has been granted.

The Board found no current evidence of a right knee disorder and denied the veteran's claim for service connection.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for service connection for a neurological disorder and for bilateral hearing loss, finding that there was no evidence of radiation exposure in service or a nexus between his current conditions and service.

The Board has denied the veteran's request for an increased evaluation of his service-connected left wrist fracture with ankylosis, finding that the current rating adequately reflects the severity and functional impact of his disability.

The Board denied service connection for CTS of the left wrist and a compensable evaluation for residuals of a ganglion cyst, capsulitis, left wrist. The veteran's CTS was not related to his service or any service-connected condition, while the residuals of the ganglion cyst were deemed unrelated due to lack of objective medical evidence.

The Board has determined that the appellant's residuals of a shell fragment wound and right carpal tunnel syndrome warrant a 30 percent evaluation, reflecting moderate incomplete paralysis.

The Board has granted a 20 percent rating for the appellant's residuals of a right wrist fracture, effective from the date of service discharge.

The veteran's service-connected disabilities prevented him from securing and maintaining gainful employment as of May 22, 1997. The effective date for the TDIU rating is set at this date.

The Board has granted service connection for right wrist, bilateral knee, and right ankle disabilities. The lipoma of the right costal margin is not considered disabling.

The Board denied the veteran's claims for higher ratings for his service-connected low back disorder, left shoulder disorder, and hypertension. The only issue that was granted a compensable rating was for the residuals of a left wrist ganglion cyst.

The Board has determined that the veteran does not have left carpal tunnel syndrome and denied service connection for this condition. The issues of low back disability, left heel disability, and right carpal tunnel syndrome are still pending.